"Puppies shouldn't be chosen as a last minute present to make children smile on Christmas
day, but that doesn't mean bringing one into the family as a Christmas present is careless,"
warns Dogs NSW spokesperson and veterinarian Dr Peter Higgins.

Depression in dogs can have serious and potentially life threatening consequences that could

be made worse by long periods of isolation now the school holidays have finished.

While some people are sceptical of the existence of depression in animals, DOGS NSW

spokesperson, Dr Peter Higgins believes it does exist in dogs, and that prevention is the

key to avoiding it.

Pets are commonly seen as a culpable source of allergens, and a majority of allergy sufferers simply do not entertain the possibility of owning dogs. The good news for the one in four Australians suffering allergies is that there are a number of solutions available allowing them to live comfortably with canine companions.

This Anzac Day, Dogs NSW pays tribute to those dogs that provided assistance to soldiers during times of war overseas. “Dogs have served in the Australian military going right back to World War 1.

Dogs NSW is calling for consistency across Australia and across all public transport
forms. “Responsible dog ownership means that suitably trained dogs should be permitted
on all public transport whether they are dedicated assistance dogs or family pets,”
explains Dr Peter Higgins, Veterinary Adviser and spokesperson for Dogs NSW.

Children learn through play. Dogs love to play. Our children can, and do, learn from playing
with their dogs. Our society encourages stimulation of social and intellectual development
for our children in their homes. “Dogs can play an important part of the development of
children in ways that enhance their life experiences.

The close bond between man and dog is a great joy to many. We enjoy and encourage this
friendship in our daily lives. If your dog, however, becomes too dependent on you and your
presence, dog separation anxiety can develop.

On Australia Day, we celebrate our proud heritage. We are the lucky country, and without our
Australian dogs – born and bred here in Australia - we would not be the lucky country.

The Dog Days of Summer are a time for lying around and moving slowly. We often enjoy a vacation and some slower activities during this time of year. Dogs NSW urges us to look out for our dogs and make sure that they can enjoy their summer days as much as we do. It is important to keep our dogs cool in the heat of the day.