Tips to train your pet at any age

<p><strong><em>Dr Katrina Warren is a veterinarian and one Australia’s most loved and trusted pet experts. She is the PAW by Blackmores ambassador.</em></strong></p> <p>Dogs are often an integral part of our family, a loving and loyal companion throughout the years. We educate ourselves with a plethora of media when bringing home and raising other members of our family with love and care, why not pay the same attention to our furry family members as advised by one Australia’s most loved and trusted pet experts, Dr Katrina Warren.</p> <p><strong>Bringing baby home: Puppy</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">A guide to vaccinations</span></p> <p>Just like human babies, puppies need vaccinations to protect them from the many infectious diseases out there. They need a series of vaccinations to protect them against Parvovirus, Distemper, Hepatitis and Canine Cough. Your puppy will need to receive these injections by a veterinarian and should have received their first vaccination prior to coming to you – ask the breeder for the vaccination certificate. Vaccination costs for your pup may seem steep, but consider the veterinary bills for treating your dog if it develops one of these illnesses – it could easily run into the thousands.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Dental care</span></p> <p>To keep your dog’s teeth and gums healthy, it is important to include some hard food in their diet. You can offer raw chicken necks and wings from 12-14 weeks of age. Brushing is also a great idea - it may seem like a novelty, but dogs have just as many dental problems as humans, which can cause pain (not to mention terrible breath!) in the long run. Train your puppy from a very young age to let you brush its teeth, to make it a normal part of their routine. Be sure to use specific dog toothpaste, as human toothpaste can be irritating to a dog’s digestive tract.</p> <p><strong>Teenage angst: Adolescence</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Chewing</span></p> <p>Dogs are curious by nature and will chew almost anything they can get their mouths on, especially while they’re puppies and are teething. This is great if it’s a dog toy or a tasty bone, but not so great if it’s your new pair of expensive running shoes or the leg of a couch. Although chewing usually subsides within a year, it can become a bad habit if it’s not managed early on.</p> <p>If you have a young dog, puppy-proof your place by moving easily chewable items such as plants or electrical cables so they’re not easily accessible. Try not to leave your puppy unsupervised in areas like your garden or living room - there’s no point in getting angry at the puppy for an action that is natural for them, which happened because they weren’t being supervised.</p> <p><strong>Young at heart: Mature Dog</strong></p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Barking</span></p> <p>Firstly, find out what your dog is barking at. As dogs usually bark the most right after their owners leave home for the day, give your dog something to do every time you leave the house, like a chew toy stuffed with food. </p> <p>Dogs left outside are exposed to many more disturbances than indoor dogs and their barks are more easily heard by the neighbourhood.  Ideally leave your dog inside preferably in a room away from the street with a radio or TV playing to mask the sound of outside noise. Reward your dog often for quiet behaviour – if he starts barking, use a word like ‘quiet’ and reward only once your dog stops barking.</p> <p><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Jumping on people</span></p> <p>When he was little, everyone was probably entranced by the cute little puppy who jumped up at them, laughing and wagging his teeny tail. Now he's a bigger dog, no-one wants his dirty paw marks all over their clothes. But his behaviour is not his fault, because your loving attention has trained him to think that jumping up is a fun and rewarding thing to do.</p> <p>Now you have to do the opposite from what you did when he was little. Instead of making eye contact and touching him when he jumps up, do the opposite. Turn around and stand still completely ignoring him. Wait until he has all four feet on the ground and then give him a little treat. Keep on doing this, and it will take many, many times, and he will eventually learn that he only gets a treat and your attention when he is sitting. As before, there is no point in shouting and pushing, because to a dog this is still attention and will only confuse him about what you want him to do.</p> <p><em>This is an excerpt from PAW by Blackmores eBook: <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="http://pawbyblackmores.uberflip.com/i/714306-20-things-no-one-tells-you-about-raising-a-healthy-dog" target="_blank" rel="noopener">20 things no one tells you about raising a healthy dog</a></strong></span> - a go-to-guide for pet owners to help through the different ages and stages of raising a healthy dog.</em></p> <p><em>Images: Getty</em></p>

Family & Pets

Warren Buffett sits out a deal to acquire Tiffany & Co

<p><span>Warren Buffett turned down a chance to acquire Tiffany &amp; Co.</span></p> <p><span>Following a takeover bid from luxury goods conglomerate LVMH, the US jewellery giant invited Buffett to make a counteroffer, the <a href="https://www.ft.com/content/9da47898-237a-11ea-b8a1-584213ee7b2b"><em>Financial Times</em></a> reported.</span></p> <p><span>However, the Berkshire Hathaway owner rejected Tiffany’s overture, allowing LVMH to strike a US$16.2 billion deal for the company in November.</span></p> <p><span>The rejection marks the conglomerate company’s fourth year without any major acquisitions as its cash pile reached a record US$128 billion. </span></p> <p><span>“Buffett has the luxury to move slowly on purchases because of Berkshire’s cash hoard,” Berkshire investor Bill Smead told the newspaper. “Shareholders will benefit tremendously when he puts that money to work.” </span></p> <p><span>Most recently, Buffett bid US$5 billion on technology distributor Tech Data in November but later withdrew after private equity firm Apollo Global Management raised its offer in the auction.</span></p>

Retirement Income

The stars over 50 who stole the red carpet at the Oscars

Movies

Inside “Offspring” star Asher Keddie's $2.4 million home

<p><span>We know her as the somewhat scatty obstetrician Nina Proudman on the Australian hit drama </span><em><span>Offspring</span></em><span>.</span></p> <p><span>But Asher Keddie's real life is rather different, of course. Keddie, her artist husband Vincent Fantauzzo and children Luca, 6, and Valentino, 2, have been living at two addresses – a city pad in Melbourne and this sprawling 43ha ranch property in Hesket, near Mount Macedon, Victoria.</span></p> <p><span>Now they have decided to put Ravenswood, as it is named, on the market.</span></p> <p><span>In an interview with Fairfax Media in 2014, Fantauzzo, an Archibald Prize-winning artist, spoke fondly of time spent at the farm riding horses and being with nature. </span></p> <p><span>"I love it because it snows in winter and it's beautiful in summer," he said. "I can go for a meal at the pub and when I'm driving home I drive really slowly because there are kangaroos and wombats crossing the road."</span></p> <p><span>After the birth of Valentino in 2015, the couple bought their city pad, splitting their time between the two properties.  </span></p> <p><span>Keddie, a Gold Logie winner, has often spoken about her love of horses, and she has been able to indulge her passion at Ravenswood – there are even two large stables on the ground floor of the house, directly beneath the main living room, plus tackle and storerooms.</span></p> <p><span>And the three-bedroom house itself is styled like a barn, in a "fresh, Scandinavian style" with a lofty cathedral ceiling enhancing a sense of space and airiness. While the stable complex takes up the entire ground floor, the upper level is given over to family living and maximising the spectacular country views.</span></p> <p><span>The property also features a beautiful lake, the original barn, mature English trees, two dams, a spring-fed mountain creek, bore, huge water tanks, horse fencing and a fully (high) fenced vegetable garden with fruit trees and hen house, built to keep out the pesky wildlife.</span></p> <p><span>Listing agent Sandi Barry-Mueller of <span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong><a href="https://www.domain.com.au/849-romsey-road-hesket-vic-3442-2014034580" target="_blank">Keatings Real Estate</a></strong></span> says it's easy to fall in love with the area because it's "one of our most popular locations in the Macedon Ranges, only minutes from iconic Hanging Rock and from the ever-popular and thriving Woodend village". </span></p> <p><span>She describes the property as a great lifestyle weekender that is also suitable as a permanent home. </span></p> <p><span>The property is listed for A$2,150,000 <span>(NZ$2.38m).</span><br /></span></p> <p><span>Scroll through the gallery above to get a look inside the property.</span></p> <p><em><span>Republished with permission of <a href="http://www.stuff.co.nz/" target="_blank"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><strong>Stuff.co.nz</strong></span></a>. </span></em></p>

Home & Garden

How George and Amal Clooney first met

<p>George and Amal’s love story is something of a modern fairytale – two people, from seemingly opposite walks of life, falling head-over-heels in love. So just how did a Hollywood heartthrob find himself in the same room as one of the world’s most distinguished international human rights lawyers? Well, according to George’s father Nick, it’s quite the story.</p> <p>He revealed to <a href="http://people.com/movies/the-romantic-untold-story-of-the-day-george-and-amal-clooney-first-met/" target="_blank"><strong><em><span style="text-decoration: underline;">People</span></em></strong></a> that the couple first met back in 2013 at a dinner party also attended by George’s parents, and the whole family – especially George – was instantly smitten with the barrister.</p> <p>“[George’s mother] Nina and I were actually the ones who answered the door when Amal came in,” Nick recalled. “She introduced herself to us and we talked. She was obviously very charming, gorgeous and so clearly accomplished, but by the time we had supper that night, it was clear there was a kindness to her and an inclusiveness.”</p> <p>Nick could see instantly that his notorious bachelor of a son was already falling hard for Amal. “By the end of supper, I started looking over at Nina and saying, ‘Look ouuuut, this could be trouble for this young man!” he said. “I really think by the time that first [meeting] was over, his and her fates were sealed, both of them. She was so remarkable and he was so remarkable around her.”</p> <p>Less than a year later, they were engaged, and on September 27, 2014, the pair tied the knot in a romantic ceremony at Ca’ Farsetti palace on the banks of Venice’s Grand Canal. Just last week, the lovebirds welcomed twins Ella and Alexander into the world, whom <a href="/lifestyle/family-pets/2017/06/george-clooneys-father-gushes-over-grandchildren/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Nick describes</span></strong></a> as “gorgeous”.</p>

Relationships

George Clooney’s father gushes over new grandchildren

<p>Yesterday, George and Amal Clooney <a href="/news/news/2017/06/george-and-amal-clooney-welcome-their-twins/" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">welcomed two gorgeous new bubs</span></strong></a> into the world, twins Ella and Alexander, and the newborns’ grandparents couldn’t be more thrilled. Nick Clooney and Nina Warren first laid eyes on the two-hour-old babies over Skype, since the star couple had arranged the birth to take place in London. Nevertheless, they’re clearly proud as punch.</p> <p>“They’re gorgeous,” Nick told <a href="http://www.fox19.com/story/35605437/george-clooneys-father-says-amal-and-sons-twins-alexander-and-ella-look-like-dad" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">FOX19</span></strong></a>. He revealed that while both babies have dark hair, one in particular appears to have taken after their heartthrob dad.</p> <p>“Nina swears they have George’s nose,” Nick said. “Not both of them – one of them. The little boy looked like he had [George’s] nose, his little profile.”</p> <p>And as for the names? The new grandparents “love” them. “Both sound terrific.”</p> <p>Nick confirmed that the new parents-of-two are doing “wonderfully well,” albeit exhausted, naturally. “George, well, his eyes were glazed so I’m not sure that he was sober,” he joked.</p> <p>Amal’s parents have also spoken out about their excitement for the new arrivals. Baria Alamuddin, who was present with her daughter for the birth, said the family is “over the moon”. “It was a beautiful delivery,” she told AFP. “The babies are beautiful and are doing well.”</p> <p>Ramzi Alamuddin, Amal’s father, also issued a statement from his home in Beirut. “They are in great heath,” he said. “All is perfect.”</p> <p>We don’t know about you, but we can’t wait to see the first snaps of the beautiful, newly-expanded family together!</p> <p><em>Image source: WireImage.</em></p>

Family & Pets

George Clooney’s mother “extremely happy” after baby news

<p>Nina Clooney told <em>Us Weekly</em> on Friday her 55-year-old son and the human-rights lawyer will be "great" parents, after it was announced the couple are expanding their brood. </p> <p>"We are extremely happy for George and Amal, and I cannot imagine two people who would be better parents," Nina said. "We (Nina and husband Nick Clooney) were with them and they told us together. We were all together, and it was lovely. It was just a personal moment."</p> <p>The Clooneys have yet to confirm the baby news, which comes one week after the couple celebrated Amal's 39th birthday in Spain, along with Clooney's parents.</p> <p>Nina, who is also mother to the <em>Ocean's Eleven</em> star's sister Adelia, has every faith her son and Amal will tackle their new parenting challenge head-on.</p> <p>"I think he'll be great, and I think she'll be a great mum," she told<em> Us Weekly</em>. </p> <p>The 39-year-old's pregnancy news was announced by Julie Chen on US chat show <em>The Talk </em>on Thursday, who also revealed the babies are due to arrive in June. "Beyoncé is not the only superstar expecting twins. Congratulations are in order for George and Amal Clooney!" Chen said.</p> <p>The news was then confirmed on Friday by Clooney's long-time friend Matt Damon, who said he had been keeping the couple's baby news secret for months. </p> <p>Clooney told Damon his big news on the set of their latest movie collaboration <em>Suburbicon </em>last year. "I was working with him last fall and he pulled me aside on set and I mean, I almost started crying," the actor told TV show <em>ET Canada</em>.</p> <p>"I was so happy for him. I was like, 'How far along is she?' And he goes, 'Eight weeks'."</p> <p>Damon then reprimanded his pal for telling him the news before the end of his wife's first trimester, when babies are considered safe from harm.</p> <p>"(I said), 'Are you out of your mind? Don't tell anybody else! Don't tell anybody else! Don't you know the 12-week rule?'" Damon recalls.</p> <p>"I'm thrilled for him," he added. "She's amazing. He hit the jackpot. Just on every level. She is a remarkable woman. They're gonna be great. They're gonna be awesome parents. Those kids are lucky."</p> <p>George and Amal wed in Italy in September, 2014.</p> <p><em>First appeared on <a href="http://Stuff.co.nz" target="_blank"><strong><span style="text-decoration: underline;">Stuff.co.nz</span></strong></a>.</em></p> <p><strong>Related links:</strong></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/amal-clooney-wife-of-george-clooney-pregnant-with-twins/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Amal Clooney, wife of George Clooney, pregnant with twins</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/02/star-confirms-pregnancy-with-twins/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>This star has just confirmed she’s pregnant with twins</strong></em></span></a></p> <p><a href="/news/news/2017/01/mel-gibson-welcomes-ninth-child/"><span style="text-decoration: underline;"><em><strong>Mel Gibson welcomes ninth child with 26-year-old girlfriend</strong></em></span></a></p>

News