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Does your dog leave you with a mess to clean up every time you leave them home alone? At Slaneyside Kennels and Runs, we understand the frustration you get when you come home after a hard’s day work having to clean up after them. If you are looking to buy a home for your dog, then here’s why you should consider a timber infill kennel.

What are Timber Infill Kennels?

Timber Infill Kennels are the most popular choice when choosing dog homes. At Slaneyside Kennels and Runs, we use galvanised stainless steel sheets that stop your dog from hurting themselves by chewing through the panels. The materials that are used will help to protect your dog from all types of weather which gives the dog kennels we produce the best life span possible.

What’s inside Timber Infill Kennels?

The infill of the kennel is made of pressure treated tongue and groove ship lap timber. All our wooden sheds are 6-foot-high and consist of two access routes.

The full height door allows you to enter your pet’s house where you can change their bedding and be able to feed them. A panel trapdoor can be added as an extra accessory to allow your dog to enter and exit their sleeping area.

Why choose Slaneyside Kennels and Runs?

We want you to tell us apart from our competitors in knowing where your products have come from. Our professional manufactures have the expertise in building brand new dog sheds on site that suit both you and your pet. All our kennels are made to the top quality standards and are 100% Irish. They are rust-free and are designed to protect your dog from any pesticides that are loitering around your back garden.

Contact

If you would like to view our special offers on our Timber Infill Kennel range or would like to discuss a customised design you had in mind, then please email Donal Kehoe at slaneyside@gmail.com or phone: 053-93-88567 / Mobile: 0877959550

Healthy eating is as ever on trend in the human world, but now it’s time our four legged companions got a look in. The question is are we doing right by man’s best friend in giving them processed foods?

Imagine eating the same bland food day in, day out, every day of your life. Boring! We wouldn’t do it so why should we expect our furred companions to do so? So put away those cans of dog food and leave the food pellets in the bag, get cooking!

Are you a dog cuisine novice? Worry not, we here at Slaneyside Kennel Solutions have scoured the internet and found two delicious recipes for you to try out. So this weekend, break out the pots and pans and whip up some tasty food for your favorite pooch.

Dog walking is an essential element in regards to caring for your dog. Dogs are meant to be walked at least once a day, the duration of which depends on the breed and activity level. Not only is regular exercise good for your dog, but it can also improve your own health and can be both a fun and enjoyable part of your day.

Need a few pointers? Puppy Leaks have their top ten tips for dog walking;

1. Use a front clip harness if your dog pulls on the leash.
2. Give your dog more stimulation by letting them sniff around.
3. Don’t use a retractable leash for dog walks.
4. Always pick up after your dog.
5. Bring plenty of water for your dog.
6. Make sure your dog is wearing proper identification.
7. Watch out for hot surfaces in the summer.
8. Keep your dog’s focus by bringing along treats.
9. Ask before approaching other dogs.
10. Wear reflective gear during evening walks.

6 Top Dog Walking Tips for Becoming the Pack Leader

Dog walking can be an enjoyable experience for both dog and owner but sometimes this just isn’t the case. Need a helping hand with walking your dog? Dog guru Cesar Millan gives his top six tips for becoming the pack leader in dog walking;

1. Walk in front of your dog.

You should be the pack leader, the first one out the door and the first one back in. During a walk, your dog should be beside or behind you.

2. Use a short dog leash.

This allows you to have more control. Attaching the leash to the very top of the neck can help you more easily communicate, guide, and correct your dog.

3. Give yourself enough time for the dog walk.

The specific needs of each dog differ, at least 30 minutes to one hour is recommended.

4. How to reward your dog during the walk.

Reward your dog for good behaviour during a walk by for example letting them explore. The timing of which is not dictated by the dog.

5. Keep leading, even after the walk.

Don’t stop leading once the walk is over, continue leading at home.

6. Reward your dog after the walk.

Reward good behaviour by providing a treat or meal after the walk.

Now that you have the hints and tips from the professionals, there is no excuse not to get out and about with your four-legged companion.

Adding variety to your walking routes can help to make dog walking less of a chore and more of a fun pastime. National parks are always a great place to start and there is also a plethora of dog-friendly places to go. Pet Friendly Ireland lists some interesting dog-friendly visitor attractions around Ireland that include Blarney Castle, Glendalough and Coole Park.

Don’t forget to practice responsible dog ownership wherever your travels take you and pick up after your dog.

Have you any other dog walking hints or tips or perhaps know of some perfect dog walks in Ireland that you would like to recommend? Let us know by heading over to our Facebook page and leaving a comment. We would love to hear from you.

There is nothing better than watching a good movie with friends, family or even by yourself! Who doesn’t love movies starring man’s best friend? Any excuse for a movie night!

Here at Slanneyside Kennels we got together and listed our top five all-time favourite movies that star our favourite four-legged friends. So grab the popcorn and curl up this evening with one of our top movie picks.

All Dogs go to Heaven (1989)

A must watch film for children and adults alike that follows Charlie B. Barkin (voiced by Burt Reynolds) and his friends Itchy and Anne-Marie, a young orphan girl. The movie centres around Charlie’s quest to get revenge for his untimely death.

Marley and Me (2008)

A weepy for sure (don’t say we didn’t warn you!) based on John Grogan’s memoir of his beloved and mischievous Labrador. Starring Owen Wilson and Jennifer Aniston as Marley’s owners. You’ll laugh, you’ll cry and you’ll also definitely give your dog an extra tight hug before bedtime after watching this!

The Fox and the Hound (1981)

A childhood favourite about the friendship between a fox and a hound, this one never fails to pull at the heart strings! Tod, a young orphaned fox makes friends with his neighbour Copper who is a hound and his natural enemy. This movie depicts their friendship right up to adulthood.

Lady and the Tramp (1955)

Who said that romance was just for us humans? This is a heartfelt love story of a Cocker Spaniel and a mutt and their romantic adventures. We all know the spaghetti and meatball scene!

Beethoven (1992)

Okay, there’s eight of them in total but we are talking about the first two. A laugh out loud family comedy about a St Bernard and his adopted family the Newtons.Beethoven’s antics and impact on the Newton family will definitely put a smile on your face. Everybody loves when the dog wins the day!

Whether this is the first time you watch them or the tenth, these movies are a must see for all dog lovers out there! This is our top five, but there is an abundance of dog-themed movies out there that we could have mentioned. Doggy movie marathon anyone?

Did we leave out your favourite movie? Let us know your opinions and top picks by heading over to our Facebook page and leaving a comment. We would love some suggestions for our next movie night!

A new dog is an exciting time for the family and dog alike!Whether it is a new dog or a new puppy, there are certain steps to take to ensure seamless integration into your family and life. This article outlines the first introductions of your new addition to children, cats and other dogs in the family.

Introductions to children

Any preliminary interactions between children and dogs should be done under complete adult supervision. Due to the unpredictable nature of both children and dogs, consistent supervision thereafter is recommended.

The Irish Blue Cross recommend:

• Prevent a new dog from being overwhelmed by allowing them to dictate first interactions, this can be done by allowing the dog to approach the children first rather than the other way around.
• Giving children treats or toys to encourage the dog to approach.
• Advise children not to stare at the dog, which can be threatening.
• Once the dog approaches children can then stroke and interact with the dog, it is recommended to stroke under the chin to begin with.
• Being prepared to react if there is a negative reaction by either the child or dog.
• Constant supervision is required to ensure no unacceptable behaviours occurs on either side.

Introductions to Cats

Each animal reaction and interaction isdifferent, so even if your new dog has lived with or happily been around cats before, this does not necessarily mean the introduction to your cat will be easy or seamless.

The Irish Blue Cross recommend:

• It is essential for the dog not to be allowed to frighten the cat, so as such have the dog on a lead and under control for the introduction.
• Give the cat the freedom to either approach or leave, this may take some time.
• To ensure a successful outcome supervise all interactions for the first few weeks.
• If necessary, keep the dog on the lead whenever the cat is present.
• Do not let the dog intimidate or chase the cat at any stage of the process as it will hinder the success and increase the overall time it takes.
• Be patient, this is a time-consuming process that can sometimes take months.
• Do not leave them alone together until it is clear they have become friends.

Introduction to Other Dogs in the Family

Dogs are very territorial! Don’t assume that just because both dogs are quite social and even have previously happily lived with other dogs that the first introduction will go off without a hitch, especially within the home.

The Irish Blue Cross recommend:

• Make initial introductions on neutral territory and not at home, for example on a walk which will make it less intense for the dogs.
• Beforehand, remove anything in the house they are likely to fight over such as toys, bones and beds etc.
• On the first introduction in the home, allow the new dog to enter first ahead of the existing dog. Once the new dog has been introduced, it should be your existing dog that enters first.
• Ignore both dogs initially until they have settled down as attention from family members may initiate a fight.
• Try to ignore any small disagreements and use distraction if required.
• If it looks like there is going to be a fight attach leads to collars so you can break up the incident.
• If an incident occurs, isolate the dogs from each other until they calm down.
• Try to avoid situations which may cause aggravation between the dogs.
• Do not leave them alone together until it is clear they have become friends.

Sources:  The Irish Blue Cross

Our previous post outlined how to make the initial introductions of a new dog to children, cats and other dogs in the family. Having a new dog is a big change and commitment to any household and there are many factors to consider.

So introductions made, what is next?

As mentioned above having a dog is a big commitment.However, help is out there! There is equipment available that can help with day-to-day life with the new addition to your family, such items include dog runs, kennels, crates, and carriers. The requirement of these very much depends on your lifestyle and factors including the area in which the dog plays and the time the dog spends aloneetc.

Dog Care Equipment

Dog Runs – Dog runs are the perfect way to contain your four-legged friend and keep them safe and secure. A great way to keep your pet out of danger, away from the risk of traffic orrunning away, our Slaneyside dog runs are the perfect choice! No matter whether you are seekingshort-term peace of mind while you leave your dog outside or you need to go out to work each day and know your dog is safe, our dog runs are the easiest and best solution.

Dog Kennels – Dog kennels are another excellent way of keeping yourdog safe and secure. Dog kennels are ideal for keeping dogs warm and dry in the Winter while protecting them from the sun and heat in the Summer.All Slaneyside dog kennels are made in Ireland and feature only the finest and most durable materials in a broad selection of styles and colours. Regular maintenance is required.

Dog Bowls, Drinkers and Feeders – Kit out any dog run or kennel withbolt on water and food fed sets to keep your dog fed and hydrated. There is also the choice of automatic drinkers and feeders which are ideal for any situation.

Dog Carriers and Crates–Dog carriers and crates have multiple uses and can come in very handy in everyday life with your new dog. Dog fold flat cages are ideal for, crate training your puppy, creating a sleeping den and transporting in your car. Slaneyside also stock a range of airline approved heavy plastic carriers.

Tractive GPS Tracking – Never worry about your new dog going missing! Tractive GPS tracking deviceslet you know exactly where your dog is. Check the location of your dog in a browser or using one of our mobile apps for smartphones (iPhone, Android).

In previous blogs over the past few weeks, we have gone through the initial stages of getting a new puppy or dog including introductions and useful equipment to make the transition seamless. But now for the blog post that can save you from the hassle of cleaning up your new furry companion’s accidents around the home. Yes, we are talking about toilet training! This is one of the most common challenges faced by new puppy owners, this can also apply to untrained adult dogs too!

Let’s face it there are more than likely going to be some accidents throughout the toilet training process but here at Slaneyside we are here to give you some top tips to help with the process and make your life a bit easier!

The 4 Basic Steps of Toilet Training

Love That Pet list 4 basic steps to follow when toilet training your puppy or dog:

1. Be around and attentive – Keep your puppy with you at all times during toilet training if possible. If you are unable to watch them closely or be attentive you should consider crate training.
2. Reward – Reward good behaviour with treats or toys. If your puppy or dog has done what you wanted them to do and gone toilet correctly let them know with rewards. Don’t forget to keep rewards close to hand during this process as they should be given directly after.
3. Routine– Keeping a routine is vital when it comes to toilet training as repetition and consistency is key! Puppies should be taken out every hour. Remember that regardless of whether it is a puppy or an adult dog that all dogs need to go outside, after eating, after playing hard, after drinking a lot of water, first thing in the morning and last thing at night.
4. Be patient and consistent and avoid punishment – This process may take some time so be patient. Accidents will happen but don’t punish your dog or puppy if they do, all this does is teach them to fear you.

Some Extra Toilet Training Tips

• The Toilet Command – Dogs Trust also recommend using a toilet command. Simply say a command like for example ‘toilet’ or ‘empty’ when you see your dog going in the correct place. If the dog looks at you when you’ve made the command reward them with a treat or toy once they’ve finished. Repeat this each time you take you dog out.
• Paper Training – Purina recommend paper-training small breeds and young puppies on newspapers or toilet trainer pads. Praise the dog when they are used and ignore them when they’re not. Over time, move the newspaper or pad towards the door and eventually out into the garden and they will follow their own scent.
• Dealing with Accidents – If an accident happens don’t get angry and definitely don’t punish. Always clean the floor thoroughly to remove the odor or else they will continue to go toilet in the same place as they recognize their own scent.
• Feeding Schedule – Remember that the feeding schedule can help or hinder this entire process. So be regular with feeding times of your dog or puppy as most will need to go outside shortly after eating.

We all know that having a dog comes with responsibility and commitment but there are also numerous benefits. If you own a dog or are currently considering getting a dog you will be aware of the joy a dog can bring into our lives. Here are some other benefits to having a furred companion in the household that you may not have already thought of.

Companionship – Not only are dogs’ man’s best friend but they also encourage social interaction with people and especially other dog owners on walks.

Exercise – Having a dog means that it has to be brought on daily walks which in turn means the owner is getting regular exercise. Regular exercise is essential element of a healthy lifestyle and for overall wellbeing.

Mood booster – Being around dogs can help make more calm and relaxed. In a nutshell dogs are a furred source of happiness for us humans and can help combat depression.

Security alarm – Dogs can help us feel safer and are nature’s security alarm alerting the household to any suspicious behaviour outside with barking or whining. They also act as a deterrent to potential burglars.

Stress busters – Have you notice the trend of having office dogs? That is because according to studies having a dog pottering around the office reduces stress levels in employees.

Personal development – The responsibility, patience, selflessness and commitment that comes with being a dog owner makes us all-around better people.

Allergy fighting – Children that grow up in a house with a dog are less likely to develop allergies over their lifetime.

Cancer detection – Scientific studies have shown that dogs have the ability to smell cancer in the human body.

Never a dull moment – Having a dog means that there is never a dull moment and using the phrase ‘I’m bored there’s nothing to do’ is no longer applicable. Whether it is playing or grabbing the lead and going for a walk, life with a dog can never be classed as boring.

Teaching Children – Having a dog in the home can teach children valuable life lessons such as responsibility, routine and caring for others.

Do you have any benefits of being a dog owner that you would like to share? Share them with us by heading over to our Facebook page and leaving a comment.

Halloween is coming!  The 31^st October is a very exciting time, especially for the little people in our lives.  The sales of pumpkins and sweets go through the roof; strange and scary costumes abound and (despite the illegalities of both) the aroma of bonfires and the noise of fireworks will be ever present through much of Ireland.

It is not however, such a fun an exciting time for our real best friends, aka our dogs and other family pets.  In fact, if dogs could talk, I would suspect, the 31^st October is the worst date on the calendar, one that brings fear to many of them every year.

So what can we do, to help our dogs this Halloween.  In this post we discuss how we can keep them safe, secure, calm and healthy, ensuring everyone in your household has a ghoulishly great time!

Top tips:

1. Keep your dog safe.  Ensure they are in a room they are comfortable in and they cannot get out of
2. Don’t leave your dog outside, loud noises can be very scary to dogs
3. If you normally take your dog for a walk at night consider doing this earlier in the day when there will be less fireworks and bonfires
4. Ensure your dog is wearing a collar on the off chance they do get out they can hopefully be easily returned to you
5. Keep your dog away from the door – the site of strangers in weird clothing and lots of noise can be unsettling
6. Don’t be tempted to give your Dog chocolate.  Chocolate poisoning in dogs is unpleasant and potentially fatal for your pet.  The toxic component of chocolate is theobromine and dogs cannot easily metabolise this
7. Don’t keep lit pumpkins around your house as your dog could easily knock them over presenting a real fire hazard
8. Don’t dress your pet up and less you know they are comfortable in clothing
9. If you know your dog gets stressed by the sound of fireworks talk to your vet.  Medication exists as do anxiety vests that can help keep your dog calm
10. Don’t take your dog out trick or treating.  They are not going to appreciate these unfamiliar sites and noises
11. Don’t let your dogs near bonfires or fireworks

If you follow these tips, Halloween needn’t be a frightening or unsettling time for your dog at all.

If you do other things for your dog that help them through Halloween, we not head over to our Facebook page and post with the hashtag #dogshalloween

In a previous post we wrote about the many physical, emotional and social benefits of owning a dog.  These included:

•     Dogs can boost your mood
•     Dogs make your more social
•     Dogs (should) may you exercise more
•     Dogs can make you feel less stressed / depressed
•     Dogs make you feel safer and less anxious
•     Dogs in your home can reduce the incidence of allergies in your kids

One further benefit is that having a dog will at some stage lead to it reaching the end of its life and will help your children learn how to deal with loss and grief.  A dog is very much a family member for most dog owners (at least we think it should be) and when they die, the sense of loss can be heart-breaking especially for children who for many will be the first experience of a bereavement they face.  Similarly, for older people whose sole companion might be their dog, this is a very difficult time.

Therefore, along with many other important factors, the life expectancy of different dog breeds should be considered when buying a dog for your family.

Life expectancy of popular dog breeds

Reference: Canine Journal

The table above shows the average life expectancy of different breeds.  In general smaller dogs live longer than larger dogs.  For example it is seen that the Chihuahua has the longest life expectancy of circa 17 years, with the Great Dane having a much shorter life expectancy of between 6 and 8 years.

Converting dog years to human years

You are likely aware that a ‘dog year’ is different in length to a ‘human’ year.  The table below shows how this is based on dog weight. So if we look at the Chihuahua’s age of 17 which might weigh circa 6lbs, we can see it’s actual age in dog years is 81

Reference PETMD

Other factors effecting life expectancy

Like any animal other environmental factors will also affect life expectancy.  For example:

• Good Nutrition & Diet
• Regularly Exercise
• Not contracting disease
• Crossbreed dogs have a longer lifestyle span
• Spayed / Neutered dogs typically live longer

Summary

It is clear, that the length of time a dog lives is determined by many factors.  Selecting the right breed and providing a good lifestyle for your dog will facilitate it living to the age it hopefully should.