Wednesday, November 29, 2006

How To Break Down the Different Dog Breed Types

Of the approximately four hundred breeds of dog in the world, there are only 146 breeds recognized by the American Kennel Club. Divided into sub groups, these groups are:

· Terriers
· Non-sporting
· Toys
· Sporting
· Working
· Hounds
· Herding

In the Terrier group, some of the breeds of dog are American Staffordshire terrier, border terriers, bull terriers, fox terriers, and jack Russel terriers. These breeds of dogs are usually competitive and determined. The fighting breeds, such as bull terriers and pit bulls, are assertive and fearless but they are trying to breed down their aggression. The vermin hunters such as jack Russel terriers are extremely fast.

In the non-sporting group, there is a huge diversity in origin, size and type of dogs. They bred many in the non-sporting groups to do specific jobs but because it is obsolete, they became companion dogs. The most popular are miniature and standard poodles. Some of the other dogs in the non-sporting group are chow chow, Dalmatian, American Eskimo, French bulldog, and Boston terrier.

The Toy Dog group consists of very small dogs that are wonderful companions. They are usually very affectionate pets and great for smaller homes and apartments. Some of the many dogs in the toy group are Boston terrier, cavalier King Charles spaniel, Chihuahua, Papillon, toy poodle and pug.

Dogs in the sporting group are alert and naturally active with remarkable instincts in the woods or water. Many sporting dogs still participate in field activities and hunting. These loyal, intelligent dogs require a lot of exercise. Some sporting dogs are the American water spaniel, Chesapeake Bay retriever, pointer, Irish water spaniel and Labrador retriever.

Working dogs do just that. They breed these dogs to do jobs such as water rescues, pulling dog sleds, avalanche rescue, smell out illegal drugs and guarding people or property. Saint Bernard dogs, Dobermans, boxers are just a few of many working dogs.

Dogs in the hound group are great hunters. Some use their intense sense of smell to trail their prey. Other hounds have tremendous stamina which shows when they run down their quarry. Some dogs in the hound group are beagles, black and tan coonhounds, American foxhound, and the bloodhound. Hounds have a very distinct howl that is not for everyone.

Dogs in the herding group have an uncanny ability to control sheep and other livestock by controlling their movements. Although most herding dogs are fabulous family pets, their herding instincts are still apparent when they try herding their owners, especially children. Along with herding, these dogs love playing, working, exercise, and easy to train. Herding dogs make fabulous companions and are quick at training exercises. Some herding dogs are the Australian cattle dog, Border collie, Belgian sheepdog, collie, Pembroke Welsh corgi, German shepherd and Shetland sheepdogs.

The advantage of getting a purebred dog is their predictable behavior but there are many wonderful mixed breeds dogs also. No matter which group of dog you consider for a pet always become knowledgeable before selecting a breed.




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Friday, November 24, 2006

Experts Agree: Pets as Gifts Not a Good Idea

It certainly makes a heartwarming picture, but be kind to animals and resist the temptation to give a pet as a gift.

The scene of a wide-eyed puppy emerging from a brightly colored gift box cleverly placed under the tree on Christmas morning to the joy of the children nestled around is an image ingrained in advertisements and art during the holiday season. After all, the innocence and joy a pet provides seems perfectly in tune with the sentiments expressed during this time of giving and sharing.

But pet experts say that giving a pet, primarily a puppy or kitten, as a Christmas present is not in the best interest of the animal. What happens after the new owner finds a mess made on the carpet? Did anyone consider that a pet can live in upwards of 15 years for some breeds? There are many factors that play into the consensus that it's probably smart to skip the pet as present this year.

1. Between the ages of 7 and 12 weeks, the time when most puppies and kittens are allowed to leave their litter and be adopted or purchased, is an important time of development. At this stage an animal learns fear and avoidance, and can be traumatized if the conditions aren't calm and quiet when being introduced to a new family. The chaos of Christmas morning, replete with flashing cameras, cheers and hordes of people, definitely isn't the right environment for welcoming a pet, and could cause lasting anxiety issues not easily remedied by training.

2. What happens to holiday gifts come February or March, when the lights and tree are a distant memory? Many kids lose interest in the latest and greatest toys opened, and most are stored away, forgotten. If a puppy or kitten is relegated to "gift" status, he or she might also fail to enthrall a child once the realization of responsibility sets in.

3. Which brings to mind the next point ... responsibility. An animal is not a toy that can be shut off at the end of play. It has very real needs that must be met. Many gift-givers fail to consider whether the gift recipient is financially capable or mentally ready to care for a pet, which can take a considerable amount of time and effort. Dogs, particularly, require daily walks and lots of exercise. Cats may require a little less care, but need attention nonetheless.

Cats can live from 12 to 15 years. Many dog breeds have an average lifespan of 10 years. In the heat of the moment, a pet may seem like the ideal gift. But who will be caring for him or her several years down the line? Will your eight-year-old be available to play fetch when the dog is 12 and your "child" is now 20?

4. According to statistics kept by the Humane Society of the United States, the majority of puppies and kittens born in the United States never reach their second birthdays, even though their natural lifespans should be many times that length. They die from being hit by cars, euthanized by owners, starving tied up in the yard or being fatally injured in fights with other animals. Many run away or are taken to shelters, pounds or vets, where they are "put to sleep," usually before the age of two.

Veterinarians are very familiar with adoptions and gifts gone bad. This reality is often the result of a pet owner not comprehending the responsibility involved in owning a pet. Consider this fact from the Humane Society of the United States: Within six months of the release of Disney Studio's "101 Dalmatians," relinquishment of these dogs to animal shelters and Dalmatian rescue organizations had increased by at least 25 percent; preliminary statistics indicate a similar trend following the release of the sequel, "102 Dalmatians." This dalmation statistic indicates that pet purchases or adoptions should not be made impulsively based on trends or with heightened emotion during the holiday season, but rather when careful consideration has been given to welcoming a pet into the family. In fact, most reputable breeders who care about the animals they raise will not send a pet home with a person for Christmas morning.

5. If you have your heart set on getting a pet for the family, wrap up a leash, feeding bowls and a book on choosing the right pet under the tree. Once the recipient opens the gifts, he or she will realize your intentions. Then, together, the entire family can decide if it's the right time for a pet and choose a loveable companion that will be the right fit for all or choose to make a donation to a local shelter to provide care for an animal while not taking it into your home.






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Monday, November 20, 2006

Putting An End To Digging

Dogs have a natural inclination to dig holes. It is instinctive behavior, but can be extremely destructive and inappropriate for dogs that spend a great deal of time in yards. A digging dog can ruin a great landscaping job, creating both great annoyance and expense for his owner. If your dog is a problem digger, there are three effective means by which to combat this frustrating behavior. These three guidelines, used in concert, will often eliminate digging behavior in dogs.

Address Your Dogs Comfort

First, it is important to realize one of the most common motivations for digging. Dogs often dig holes as a means of personal climate control. On hot days a dog may dig himself a cooling well. His newly dug hole will be a place for him to rest on a surface that is cooler than the rest of the ground.

If your dog’s digging habits seem to be related to heat, it is easy to solve the problem simply by addressing his needs. By providing a cool, shaded location in the yard, your dog may no longer feel a need to dig. Many have found that the use of a kiddy pool or other larger tub containing some water may also be of use in this endeavor. By making the dog’s surroundings “cooler,” you can easily eliminate his need to remove chunks of the yard to relax.

Likewise, dogs will sometimes dig to create a warm space during cold weather. By digging a small pit in which they can rest, the dog creates a space removed from brisk winds. Again, it is relatively easy to address the situation. Providing a warm space, such as a well-insulated doghouse can reduce the dog’s need to dig holes throughout your lawn.

By tending to a dog’s comfort, one can reduce a prime motivator of digging behavior. Keeping a pet adequately cooled during the summer and sufficiently warm in the winter is one of the most simple, yet effective, means of eliminating digging.

Exercise Your Dog Adequately

Dogs will also dig when they are inadequately exercised or are overly confined. A dog with excess energy to burn may turn to digging as a means of release. A dog who feels confined in his yard and yearns to run free will be likewise attracted to the prospect of digging those annoying holes.

This cause for digging can be addressed simply by making sure your dog is adequately exercised. Regular walks, play opportunities and other exercise outlets will leave your dog better rested—and less inclined to dig. The value of exercising a dog is immeasurable. It produces a happier, calmer dog who is more receptive to training and who is likely to be considerably more healthy than his under-exercised brethren. Thus, exercise should be pursued in all cases with all dogs. However, it brings with it the additional advantage of decreasing a dog’s interest in digging.

Keep Your Dog Entertained

Digging can also be symptomatic of boredom. A dog with little to do may find the instinctive behavior of digging holes to be a great way to occupy his time. The bored dog is more likely to seek solace in the instinctive act of digging holes than is the appropriately engaged pet.

As such, one can combat digging simply by making sure the dog has sufficient alternative sources of entertainment. As previously mentioned, regular exercise and activity offers hope in reducing digging behavior. Additionally, the presence of attractive and entertaining toys can provide a dog with other ways to spend his time and can reduce the likelihood that he will dig holes.

Dogs who are simply left alone in a yard with little else to do are, not surprisingly, apt to invent their own diversions. As digging is an instinctive activity, it is often latched upon as “something to do” for an otherwise bored dog. By providing more attractive play activities, one can remove this frequent cause of destructive digging behavior.

There are certainly other reasons why dogs dig and there are certainly problem dogs whose digging behavior will not immediately cease simply by following the three rules covered here. However, most dogs will curtail their destructive digging if their climate is appropriately managed, they are adequately exercised and they are provided with alternative diversions.

Though instinctive, digging is not necessarily inevitable. By tending to a dog’s needs, one can reduce instances of inappropriate digging.




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Friday, November 17, 2006

How Intelligent is Your Dog

It is entirely normal to look for signs of intelligence in your dog. Even puppies that are not especially smart nonetheless display flashes of brilliance in their behavior.

And it is also very normal to look for the same things in our pets that we look for in our children, like a keen mind, a sense of humor and loyalty. But the trait that we tend to brag about the most is actually our dog’s intelligence.

There is not really a single type of canine intelligence. According to Stanley Coren, writer of 'The Intelligence of Dogs', there are several types of dog intelligence that can be measured by canine IQ tests...

The first one is named Adaptive Intelligence. This relates to learning and problem solving capability, the knowledge and skills a dog can acquire. It also pertains to how much time it takes for your dog to learn new a relationship.

As an example, if your dog recognizes people after just one or two visits, this indicates a good adaptive intelligence capability. You might also look at how well your dog comprehends the laws of cause and effect by observation.

The next type is Instinctive Intelligence, which simply deals with behaviors and skills programmed into the animal’s genetic code. For example, Sheep dogs and Border Collies are superb herding dogs. This is an innate abilty that these breeds of dogs have and has little to do with training.

The third type is Working/Obedience Intelligence, which involves the ability of an animal to follow commands. This type of intelligence is primarily dependant on the actual breed of the dog. Two examples are the dogs used for guiding the blind and for K9 police work.

Here are several tests you can try on your dog to check his intelligence.

At a time of the day that you do not usually walk your dog, pick up your keys and his leash when you know he’s watching. If he starts wagging his tail and gets excited, 3 points. If you have to walk to the door before he knows what’s going on, two points. If he sits there with a dumbfounded look, give him one point.

Now if your dog lets YOU know it is time to go to the bathroom by bringing you his own leash (without being trained to) or has mastered the toilet, your dog is truly a genius!

One way to test your dog's problem solving ability is to take a sizeable towel (or a blanket will do fine as well) and toss it over your dog’s head. If he frees himself from the covering in less than fifteen seconds, give him three points. If it takes fifteen to thirty seconds, two points. If it takes him longer than thirty seconds, give him or her a single point.

To check your dog's memory, Place some sort of treat under one of three buckets that are lined up in a row. And be sure that your dog sees which bucket the treat is under. Turn the dog away for about ten seconds or so and then let him go. If he or she goes straight to the bucket with the treat under it, three points. If it takes two tries to find the treat, two points. If he/she checks the wrong two first before finding the right one, one point.

Now if your dog scores six points or more, you have a canine genius; four to five points is average; three points or less, well…who said that intelligence was a prerequisite for love?


PETsMART




For additional information on dog wellness visit Dog Food and other Resources and learn more. Ryan Joseph is a writer/researcher in Pet and General health issues. For more detail visit http://www.dog-food-nutrition.info/ http://friskydog.blogspot.com http://friskydog.blog.com Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Ryan_Joseph http://friskydog.blogspot.com

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

The Saucy Chihuahua



Nothing is cuter than a tiny Chihuahua. She is a graceful, alert, swift moving dog with a saucy expression.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS

The Chihuahua is the smallest breed of dog in the world - 6-9 inches tall and weights between 2-6 pounds.

She has a small apple-shaped head with a short pointed muzzle. Very large, round dark bright eyes and large erect ears.

The Chihuahua has a stout body that is longer than it is tall with a sickle-shaped tail which is curled over the back or to the side.

Color: Can be any color. Common colors are, chestnut, black, tan, fawn, multi-colored and splashed.

Coat: Two distinctive Breed types: one with a long soft coat, the other with a short coat.

Life Expectancy: 15 years or more

PERSONALITY

A Chihuahua is very intelligent but can be strong willed.
Extremely loyal to her owner - Gives and demands a lot of affection.

Very intuitive and will copy the behavior and moods of her owner(s).

Has the reputation of being a good watch dog - very courageous, bold and aggressive. She does not seem to realize how tiny she really is.

Chihuahuas are very spunky and mischievous.

Unless she is properly socialized, she will not like strangers.

CHICHUAHUA AS A PET

A great companion dog - you will not find a better friend.

Not good with small children as the Chichuahhua will bite when teased.

Good with cats.

Can be aggressive toward other breeds of dogs. Usually will tolerate another Chihuahua in the home.

A great little dog for apartment living.

GROOMING

The Chihuahua with a smooth short-haired coat should be brushed occasionally. The breed with the long coat should be brushed daily with a soft brittle bush.

Both types should be bathed about once a month (careful not to get water in their ears).

TRAINING

Some Chihuahuas may be difficult to train, but they are very smart and learn quickly.

With a little patience you can have a wonderful little dog. They will respond well to gentle but firm training.

EXERCISE

Chihuahuas needs regular exercise to maintain a healthy weight. Since she is so tiny a body harness is safer than a collar for walks.

Be careful on extremely cold days as she hates cold weather.

FOOD

A Chihuahua should be feed a high quality dog food.

She has a tendency to overeat so her food consumption should be monitored.

COMMON HEALTH PROBLEMS

A Chihuahua tends to wheeze and snore because of her short nose.

She is susceptible to corneal dryness and glaucoma. Prone to gum problems, stress, colds, and Rheumatism. Vulnerable to factures and accidents due to her small size.

HISTORY

The Chihuahua was named after the Mexican state of Chihuahua.

It is the oldest breed of dog on the American continent.




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Jasmine Macdonald is an avid dog lover who writes the daily Frisky Dog. You can visit her site at: http://friskydog.blogspot.com for all kinds of advice for your "best friend" (A.K.A. your dog). http://friskydog.blog.com Source: http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Jasmine_Macdonald

Monday, November 13, 2006

Dogs Are Not People! Understanding the Differences Between People and Dogs

Dogs are not people. It may seem like an obvious observation, but so many people make the mistake time and time again of expecting their dog to act and think like a person. They attribute human traits and emotions to these noble animals and thus undermine their whole relationship, sending confusing signals and stressing the dog.

Remember, the dog is an animal. Yes, even your cute little friend who curls up on the sofa next to you and loves to have his tummy tickled. He's an animal, and he MUST be treated as such to give him a healthy, fulfilling life. Small dogs are particularly prone to being treated as children or babies and this can lead to a multitude of behavioural problems, not to mention confusion and misery for the dog.

Firstly, let's look at the exchange of love between ourselves and our dogs. Most of us love our dogs and can feel a warm spot in the middle of our chests when we see them or think of them. Does the dog feel that too? We have to assume not. He loves us, but he loves us in a different way. He relies on us for his well-being and survival. He looks to us (if we are successful) as a leader of his pack and he trusts us in our decisions.

He is happy to be with you because he is a pack animal and his attachment to you may well be very deep. But he doesn't have the complicated love-psychology of a human being. He doesn't have the same concept of ethics and morality and he certainly doesn't know anything above and beyond what his animal instincts tell him. If a friend of yours enters the house and your dog doesn't like him, he's not going to “be nice” to the friend for your sake! Conversely, he doesn't misbehave or sulk to get attention or “pay you back” for something you did. These are human emotions and motives that we attribute to our dogs almost unconsciously.

We should also look at the concept of praise and punishment in training. On the whole, I advocate praising good behavior and ignoring misbehavior. I do not believe in punishing a dog for bad behavior, but sometimes a short, sharp shout can be a good reminder to a dog that is doing something he knows he shouldn't. It is essential to remember that you can only praise or give correction to your dog AT THE VERY MOMENT he is exhibiting the behavior in question. He is not a child and will not know nor remember what he did five minutes ago. This is a fundamental difference between people and dogs and if remembered, will make training a much easier task.

So the key to this is “think like a dog”. Imagine you are a pack animal like him. Don't ever think of him as a human, still less a child or a baby, whatever his size and however cute his face. You have to hard-wire this concept into your relationship with your dog and he will only thank you for it. He is a dog, an animal, and only by truly understanding this will you be able to fulfill his needs and form a meaningful, satisfying relationship for both of you.

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Friday, November 03, 2006

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training with a Clicker Really Works

Only Natural Pet Store



Positive reinforcement has long been accepted as the most effective method to train children. Instead of disciplining for bad behavior, reward for good behavior. This is also true with most trainable animals, including dogs.

One popular method of using positive reinforcement to train a dog is to use a clicker. In case you were wondering, a click is not your TV remote control. A clicker is exactly what it sounds like: a device that makes a clicking sound.

Establishing clicker training is simple. First, bring your dog into a fairly closed in area so he can't wander off too far. Then click the clicker and give your dog a small treat. After giving your dog the treat, praise him and pet him extensively.

Then repeat the process. Click the clicker, give a treat, and praise your dog.

After doing this for about 15 minutes, walk to another area of the room. If your dog does not follow you, click the clicker and wait. When your dog makes even a small movement toward you, click the clicker, give a treat, and praise your dog.

When your dog moves away from you, do not click the clicker. Stay quiet and wait. As soon as your dog makes another move toward you, click the clicker, give a treat and praise your dog. If he comes all the way to you, make a real fuss over him and give him two treats. Show that you are really happy with him.

Once your dog has connecting coming to you with getting a treat (which may take a few practice sessions), start using the phrase "Rex, come here!", with your dog's name substituted for "Rex", of course. Then click the clicker and give a treat if he comes to you.

Are you starting to see the pattern here? Begin first by clicking the clicker and rewarding any step made toward the goal--in this case coming to you. Once that goal is associated with a treat, start associating the goal with the words (such as "Rex, come here!"). In time the clicker will not be necessary, as the dog will associate the words with the desired action.

This method can be repeated with virtually any other commands that you want to teach your dog.


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Wednesday, November 01, 2006

Opening A Kennel: General Tips and Guidelines

Opening a kennel is a huge undertaking, even for those who have worked in kennels before or think they know all there is to know about caring for dogs. The following tips and guidelines will help you plan for your business and will, perhaps, bring to mind things you hadn’t considered before.

1. Consider the cost of opening up a new business and make sure that you have the financial backing to support the venture. You should have enough funding set aside just in case it takes a few months or more for your business to really take off.

2. Make sure that the location of your kennel is zoned for that use.

3. Make sure that the building you choose to house your kennel either has all of the facilities you’ll need (enough space, fixtures, etc.) or can be easily modified to accommodate your needs.

4. Make sure that you have either applied for or received all the relevant state, county or local permits. Become an expert on the all of the regulations and statutes that govern kennel operations in your region and follow them to the letter.

5. Exceed the minimum standards of care at your kennel. This will help to ensure that you are indeed following all regulations and statutes. Potential customers will also be attracted by this attentiveness.

6. If you have employees, you’ll need to investigate group insurance plans. Some businesses pay for a portion of employee premiums. Even if you can’t afford to, however, you still may be able to negotiate a low group insurance rate for you and your staff.

7. Learn all you can about workman’s compensation insurance. If you have employees, you will have to pay for this insurance yourself – you cannot deduct it from the paychecks of your employees. Workman’s compensation insurance is mandated in every state and will pay your employee’s medical bills should he or she be injured on the job, even if the injury is the employee’s fault Workman’s compensation insurance will also cover any of your injured employee’s lost wages. If you keep a consistently safe workplace and keep the number of accidents down, you may qualify for lower premiums.

8. Utilize low-cost advertising and marketing to spread the word about your kennel. Neighborhood newspapers and door-to-door flyer distribution are great places to start. Word-of-mouth advertising, however, especially in a business that involves entrusting your furry family member to a stranger, can be very powerful as well. Encourage this by offering discounts to your current clients in exchange for referrals. Also maintain a professional looking website.

9. Provide multiple services (grooming, day care, pet supplies, obedience training, etc.) This will not only broaden your customer base, but will prompt multiple visits from existing customers.

10. Make sure that you and all of your employees are trained to deal with dogs in any situation and can remain calm in a crisis. Inexperienced and nervous dog handlers will only inspire fear and nervousness in the dogs they are caring for. This, of course, can lead to aggression and biting.

11. Provide a kennel that allows for dogs to play together for a set period of time everyday. Also make sure that all of the animals boarded there will receive an adequate amount of exercise throughout their stay.

12. Make it clear to the pet owners that if their animal becomes a serious threat to the safety of the employees or other boarded animals, you will be unable to board the animal again. Let the owner know that if the danger posed by their animal is serious enough, they will have to pick up their pet immediately or arrange for someone else to pick him up. Make sure that you have a signed contract that clearly states your obligations to the pet and the pet owner’s obligations to you.

11. Gain accreditation through the American Boarding and Kennel Association (AKBA). Accreditation through AKBA will increase the comfort level of your customers by letting them know you are dedicated to providing the best possible facilities for their pet. AKBA will examine and certify the following areas of your business and facility: personnel, office, reception area, record keeping practices, business practices, grounds, work areas, kennel area, animal care procedures, environmental controls, sanitation, trash and sewage disposal procedures, pest control, fire safety, grooming facilities, business vehicles, community play areas and availability and diversity in the animals boarded.

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