PetFocus

Training a dog is an important task, but what can you do if your dog is deaf and so can’t respond to the commands we usually say? 

If we take the time to adjust how we communicate with them, it isn’t more difficult to train a deaf dog than any other dog. You can still have a great bond with them and teach them all the essentials. Pet behaviourist Karen Wild has shared with us her expert tips on how to train a deaf dog.

Elsewhere in this issue, we look at how to give your dog first aid in an emergency, find out about autumn toxins to watch out for, and learn what a veterinary ophthalmologist does.

And, as Halloween approaches, what better time to announce that a black cat has joined the PetFocus team? Shadow, a three-year-old rescue cat, is now providing the editor with a helping paw to put together the magazine – when he’s not knocking stuff off the desk.

If you want to learn more about the superstitions surrounding black cats, we’ve unravelled some of the myths about them. They might be associated with this spooky season, but they make wonderful companions throughout the whole year. Just ask anyone lucky enough to share their home with a black cat.