Ticks are my enemies No. 1. In fact, any bugs that can harm my dogs are my enemies, but ticks always come first. The very idea of them gives me shivers because while it is relatively easy to deal with bees, wasps and mosquito bites, ticks are known for carrying viruses and disease that can lead to a tragedy.

We lost Oscar to haemolytic anaemia.In his case it was due to the immune system “miscommunication”, but it can also be caused by ticks carrying Babesia parasites. For a long time we were lucky not to have them in the UK, but sadly, they are definitely appearing in the country here and there according to the reports and I want to do anything in my power to share the information that may possibly save  your dog’s life and protect you from a heartbreak and loss we’ve experienced.

What can be done to prevent tick bites?

Learn about tick season in your area and try to avoid places known for “tick colonies”. Normally it starts in spring and ends in early summer, then re-starts in autumn around October time. Also remember that ticks love long grass, damp areas and shady woods.

Check your dog every day and definitely – after each walk. Unless your pup has dark hair, the ticks are pretty easy to spot as they craws through the coat. Ticks never attach themselves straight away because they needs to find a suitable spot and prefer eye lids, nose, ears and genitals – wherever the skin is the thinnest. While they are busy locating the spot you can go through your dogs fur in a manner of an ape checking her babies for bugs, and then use a comb to brush the hair and increase your chances of finding a few offenders that will look like millet-size black insects.

Hoover your home daily to remove any ticks that went off searching for their new victims.

You may wish to use an anti-tick collar, but I am not a huge fan of those because the chemicals can cause skin irritations.

Have a tick removal device called O’Tom Tick Twister at home. It makes tick-removal more effective. Admittedly, it’s best to ask your vet to show you how it’s done or watch this video, but easy enough to master.

Rose geranium oil makes a natural tick repellent and the beauty of it is that the oil doesn’t need to be diluted prior to application. Having said that I personally still mix a few drops in some almond oil (approximately 10 drops per 1tbsp of oil) before using it and, because the scent is rather strong, prefer adding the drops to a DIY’ed bow that I tie around the collar at the top of my dogs neck (so he doesn’t get all the smell hitting his sensitive nostrils).

A chemical-free and rather interesting solution is TickLess Pet – an ultrasonic device that repels ticks through the power of sound undetectable to human ears. I came across it a couple of months ago and haven’t had a chance to use yet, but I definitely will.

Oh, those sharp puppy teeth! Right now I look like a victim of self-harming because Cooper is teething big time and it means he is biting into everything and anything including our hands.

Of course, we try to discourage the biting by constantly sticking one of his favourite toys between his mouth and our fingers – and often it helps – but once in a while the toy isn’t there or we aren’t quick enough.

The good news is that the furniture is still in one piece and even the garden plants are surviving nicely and I think the toys and regular play times help a lot here.

When it came to the choice of toys I refused to rely on plastic Nylabones and Kongs because I was never quite convinced by the chews and never liked the idea of stuffing the Kong with food and treats because in 99% chanced it would turn into a habit of eating extra food and snacks (and high possibility of weight gain and, with cockers love of food, a bit of an addiction).

Instead we got him several toys made of cotton ropes and linen, a hemp donkey, a Beco ring and bone, Kong’s knot bear and a tweed mutant rabbit. Ironically, Cooper never quite warmed up to any of these for more than a day, but instead showed a lot of interest in anything with tassels or made of suede. As a result, I ended up buying him suede ball and bone and carrying his Petstages Puppy pal everywhere. The ironic thing is that after all the shopping efforts Cooper chose a cardboard kitchen towel rolls, an old linen box and a tassel with knots I made for him out of my cotton belt, which somehow made me realise that I am definitely done with buying toys and instead should simply make a few myself.

Fingers crossed there will be time for me to do it. Really fancy making a cashmere teddy bear for my boy.

Cannot believe it’s been a week since we brought Cooper home! The time flew by… The boy looks stronger, grown up and definitely more confident. Instead of the shy puppy he was last Sunday, Coop is now an explorer,  biter and kisser. And he is absolutely gorgeous!

So far he leant his name, “Come”, “Bed”, “Mummy”, “Daddy” and, surprise-surprise, “Food” and “Kitchen”. He also uses garden whenever the nature calls unless he is too distracted by having fun. And in my turn I’ve leant a few habits of his that help to encourage all the positive changes that make everyone’s life easier long term.

He is also happily wearing a collar (and the one from Pets at Home was definitely the best) and also tried walking on a lead, which didn’t seem to bother him in the lightest.

Diet-wise – he is now fully on Royal Canine Cocker Spaniel Junior. In addition, he has already tried a little fresh cucumber and this week will be having a little grated carrot in one of his meals every day.

Oh, and he is teething. Big time.