There is no evidence that pets can get sick from Covid-19, although coronaviruses are quite common in the animal world.

However, pet fur could transfer the virus just like human hands and so pet owners need to take extra precautions.

They should:

l Wash their hands with soap and hot water after touching their pets and their belongings (collars, leads, bedding, etc).

l Avoid kissing and cuddling their pets.

l Restrict close contact with their pets if they show any signs of illness.

l If their pet is sick, they should call their vet and discuss their pet’s symptoms over the telephone.

We’re being asked to stay as close to home as possible when we take our daily exercise, but it is possible for a dog to have several walks a day - one with each member of the household.

Whilst outdoors, dogs from separate families should not mingle with each other and their owners should observe social distancing of at least two metres and they should not touch other people’s dogs.

We are lucky in the island to have so many wonderful beaches, but in order to keep your distance from others while on a beach please try to visit it when the tide is out.

You can check tide tables on several websites, including this government one: www.gov.im/categories/travel-traffic-and-motoring/harbours/tides-and-flapgates

Spending so much time at home is an opportunity to interact with our pets more than we might usually do and for dog owners it’s a chance to train their dogs to do new and stimulating things.

Nose work games are one of the easiest ways to tire out dogs because you’re challenging them mentally and physically, as well as honing some of their natural skills.

Try hiding some treats or chopped up carrot around a room and have your dog watch you as you do so. Then give your dog the cue to ’find the treats’ and praise them every time they discover one.

As your dog learns how to play the game, make it harder by keeping the dog in a different room while you hide the treats.

Why not try the cup game? Let your dog watch you place a treat under one of three cups and then shuffle them around. Encourage your dog to ’find the treat’ and praise them when they do.

Or you could create your own obstacle course - have your dog jump over some towels, weave through his toys and then lay down on a blanket, or use other objects around the house.

Start off with a simple course and make it more tricky and mentally stimulating once your dog understands what to do.

Dogs become bored with the same toys and so you could try making new ones out of materials you have in your house.

Old T-shirts can be ripped up and plaited together to make a tug toy or tie knots in a towel as an alternative.

Another option is an empty cereal box with treats inside. It will provide a few minutes of fun, maybe more depending upon how quickly your dog can destroy it.

Aside from tricks and games, being able to spend more time with your dog is also a great opportunity to reinforce the basic commands. Even well-trained dogs need a refresher course now and again to keep them sharp. All dogs should have a reliable sit, down, stay, drop it, and come here, as well as good recall.

Dogs thrive on interactive play and it has a big impact on their overall health and well-being, not to mention the pleasure it can bring their owners. Riley, the nine-year-old border collie, is one of the most playful dogs we have ever had in our kennels and if you would like to know more about him please email [email protected]