Win a FurCode ID tag for your dog!

FurCodes ID tags link to an online pet profile allowing dog owners to keep their pet's contact details, vet, and care information up to date. Enter the tag ID into your web browser and it instantly loads the pet's profile page. Alternatively you can scan the tag with your smart phone's QR code reader.

FurCodes ID tags come in six colours and three sizes. They attach to your dog's D-ring on his collar like a normal ID tag.

We have 10 FurCodes ID tags to give away.

For more information, visit www.collarways.co.uk

How to enter

If you receive the Your Dog newsletter, there will be a link on the email to update your details and a tick box option to enter the competition. If you do not receive our newsletter, click here to register. The closing date is Friday, May 31, 2013, at 10am. Good luck!

Please remember:

The Control of Dogs Order 1992 mandates that any dog in a public place must wear a collar with the name and address of the owner engraved or written on it, or engraved on a tag. Your postcode is optional, and your telephone number is also optional (but advisable).

Could your dog be a tissue donor?

It's not just humans who can offer and benefit from the noble gesture of tissue donation after death.

Veterinary Tissue Bank (VTB), the first of its kind in Europe and the UK, is dedicated to helping companion animals in need of allografts (tissue transplants) through its ethical pet donor programme.

Echoing the same principles as human tissue donation, the scheme allows owners to donate their deceased pets' soft tissue and bone tissue so it can be supplied to veterinary surgeries in the UK and Europe for allografts.

“As an orthopaedic specialist, I was frustrated by seeing patients who needed grafts but not being able to access them,” said John Innes, veterinary medical director of VTB.

“The demand has, at times, outstripped our ability to supply. There's a shortage of donors, like you can get in human medicine.

“A single donation can help as many as 30 – 50 pets.”

There's no charge for owners who wish to donate their pets' tissues. Once tissues have been retrieved, VTB can organise a cremation and cover the costs, and the pets' ashes are returned to the owners.

The VTB is looking for new donors. If you're interested in registering your pet as a future donor, or would like more information about the scheme, visit the website here, call 01691 778769, or This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .

Guide Dogs' summer catalogue

Guide Dogs has launched its first summer catalogue of dog products.

The new Guide Dogs catalogue is a summer edition of its Christmas Dogalogue, which Guide Dogs produces every Christmas.

The Guide Dogs summer catalogue contains a variety of gifts for dog lovers and Guide Dogs supporters including rawhide birthday cards and toys.

There are also lots of presents for family and friends including dog-themed wellies, cake tins, and towel sets. All profits go to Guide Dogs.

"Everything Guide Dogs does is focused on helping people who are blind or partially sighted to get out and about on their own terms, and the money we raise through Dogalogue helps us to do just that."

Visit www.dogalogue.com

Step on to the Spitalfields catwalk

Get your dog to strut his stuff down the canine catwalk at the annual Paw Pageant, Old Spitalfields Market, London, on Bank Holiday Monday, August 26.

Read more: Step on to the Spitalfields catwalk

Border Collie Rescue's new training centre for unwanted sheep dogs

Border Collie Nap, pictured, is one of the chief instructors at Border Collie Rescue's new training centre for abandoned and unwanted sheep dogs.

The ageing Border Collie takes new Border Collie recruits at Border Collie Rescue under his paw, showing them how to listen to sheep herding instructions and how to manage a herd effectively.

His experience and leadership qualities make him an invaluable guide to the Border Collie pups and adult Border Collies that enter Border Collie Rescue's rehabilitation centre near York.

Border Collie Rescue set up its new training centre for abandoned and unwanted sheep dogs to complement its headquarters in Richmond, North Yorkshire, following a stark increase in referrals for unmanageable Border Collie pets.

Nap was taken in by Border Collie Rescue after plunging into deep depression following the death of his shepherd owner. He refused to work for anyone else. After a while, Border Collie Rescue staff noticed his knack for training younger Border Collies. By giving Nap new employment, Border Collie Rescue was able to break through his depression.

Win bottles of Omega 3 supplement for dogs

3mega is a 100 per cent pure, natural flaxseed oil supplement specifically produced for dogs. The supplement helps owners to maintain their pets' general health and well-being.

We have 25 500ml bottles of 3mega to give away.

It was recently introduced to the UK from New Zealand. The oil has been cold pressed from premium quality New Zealand linseed and contains no additives.

It is very high in Omega 3 (60 per cent) - an essential fatty acid that has many health benefits including anti-inflammatory, anti-allergy, and supporting the immune, circulatory, and digestive systems.

For further information visit www.fourflax.co.uk

How to enter

If you receive the Your Dog newsletter, there will be a link on the email to update your details and a tick box option to enter the competition. If you do not receive our newsletter, click here to register. The closing date is Friday, May 24 2013, at 10am. Good luck!

Music helps relax stressed out pets at vets

The concept is being introduced to the UK for the first time by family-run veterinary group White Cross Vets at its new practice in Tividale.

Pets visiting White Cross Vets will be played music specifically designed for dogs and cats as well as benefiting from diffusers that release stress-relieving pheromones into the air.

The revolutionary concept is being introduced to the UK for the first time by the family-run veterinary group at its new practice in Tividale.

The music was designed following pioneering research into how the canine nervous system responds to sound, and the music is twice as effective as conventional classical selections in reducing canine anxiety behaviours. It was written by a dog and psychoacoustic expert.

Craig Harrison, clinical director at White Cross Vets, said: "Pets often become stressed in strange or unfamiliar environments. Only a proportion of UK practices keep cats and dogs separately and we believe White Cross Vets are the first to introduce the revolutionary sounds to the UK, having discovered the benefits of the music at the North American Veterinary Conference in Florida earlier this year"

Carry on camping

Get back to nature and enjoy a camping holiday with your dog...

Summer is on its way, and that can mean only one thing — time for a holiday. If you’re up for something a bit different, why not go camping this year? It’s inexpensive and will be an adventure for the whole family — including the dog.  You’ll relish being in the great outdoors, your dog will be thrilled by the new sights, sounds, and smells of the campsite, and you can all have great fun exploring.

Regular Your Dog contributor Karen Bush, who is an avid fan of holidaying with her dogs, suggests that doing lots of in-depth research into where you’re planning to stay is important when organising your holiday. “Location, location, location — this really is the key to a successful trip,” said Karen. “Remember, if you’re taking your dog camping, your whole holiday is going to revolve around him — it will be dog-centric. Make sure that the area you choose has plenty of dog-friendly things to do, come rain or shine. You have to be adaptable and be prepared for your plans to change — after all, you can’t guarantee the British weather.”

Read more: Carry on camping

Goodbye dear Zheeky

German Shepherd Zheeky, who appeared in Your Dog's 'The dog diaries' series in 2009 with owner Chris Jones, has died.

The former prison service dog, who was nine, was put to sleep after having trouble breathing and not being able to settle.

Zheeky had been retired for 18 months and was enjoying life, said Chris, a prison service dog handler.

"He has left a massive hole in our lives," said Chris.

Here's a poem about Zheeky, written by one of Chris's friends:

I stood by your bed last night, I came to to have a peep,

I could see you were crying,

you found it hard to sleep.

I whined to you softly as you brushed away a tear,

"It's me, I haven't left you,

I'm well, I'm fine, I'm here."

I was close to you at breakfast, I watched you pour the tea,

you were thinking of the many times your hands reached down to me.

I was with you at the shops today,

your arms were getting sore.

I longed to take your parcels, I wish I could do more.

I was with you at my grave today, you tend it with such care.

I want reassure you, that I am not lying there,

I walked with you towards the house, as you fumbled with your key.

I gently put my paw on you, I smiled and said "It's me".

You looked so tired, and sank into the chair.

I tried so hard to let you know that I was standing there.

It's possible for me, to be so near you everyday.

To say with certainty, "I never went away".

You sat there very quietly, then smiled,

I think you knew...

In the stillness of that evening, I was very close to you,

The day is over... I smile and watch you yawning and say

"Good night, God bless,

I see you in the morning".

And when the time is right for you to cross the brief divide,

I'll rush across to greet you

and we'll stand side by side.

I have so many things to show you, there is so much for you to see.

Be patient, live your journey out...

then come home to be me.

Win a pet hamper!

Pet Munchbox has launched its Pet Personality Hampers — an ideal unique birthday present for your dog or just to show him how much you care.

Read more: Win a pet hamper!

Your holiday starts here!

Holidaying with your dog can be great fun — and with a bit of planning you’ll both get the chance to chill out, says Justine Harding.

Read more: Your holiday starts here!

Dogs and gardens do mix

You can own a dog AND have a nice garden! Karen Bush dispells the myths and explains how it's done.

Read more: Dogs and gardens do mix

Help - I hate my puppy!

Trainer and behaviourist Carol Price explains why the arrival of a new puppy can be more stressful than joyful.

Read more: Help - I hate my puppy!

The name game

So you’ve just brought your new puppy home. But what do you call him? Choosing your dog’s name is arguably one of the toughest things you’ll have to do as a new dog owner.

Read more: The name game

Win Petcare starter packs

Positive Petcare has developed a ground-breaking range of grooming products aimed at curing pet smells.

The range uses an advanced water-based technology that eliminates unpleasant animal odours and provides unbeatable pet protection against harmful bacteria.

Your Dog has teamed up with Positive Petcare to give away two starter packs to help protect your pet 24/7.

The starter pack, which retails at £19.99, is designed to protect pets from bacterial infections and odours and help with skin conditions for up to three months.

Each starter pack will include one fur protector and deodoriser spray, one bedding and laundry product, one clean up sanitiser and deodoriser, and one skin healer and protector.

For further information on the range visit www.positivepetcare.co.uk

How to enter

If you receive the Your Dog newsletter, there will be a link on the email to update your details and a tick box option to enter the competition. If you do not receive our newsletter, click here to register. The closing date is Friday, May 10 2013, at 10am. Good luck!