Why Dogs Sniff the Ground

Dogs need to sniff the ground; it's how they keep abreast of current events. The ground is a giant dog newspaper, containing all kinds of late-breaking dog news items, which, if they are especially urgent, are often continued in the next yard." ~ Dave Barry

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How to Combat Separation Anxiety In Dogs

You leave and he howls. Not just for a moment, but seemingly forever. When the howling finally abates, it is replaced by a whine. When you return, you find your home a mess—he has engaged in destructive behavior that is completely out of character. Your dog has a real problem: separation anxiety.

Dogs love their owners and develop a very close relationship with them. Sometimes the closeness of that relationship can leave them confused and frightened when the owner is gone. Thy dog may seem confused, angry or sullen when the owner leaves and may appear to “lash out” against being left alone by ruining furniture, creating messes or otherwise acting in ways wholly inconsistent with his training. Separation anxiety is relatively easy to diagnose: an otherwise well-adjusted dog seems to transform into a monster when left alone. Unfortunately, it is not always quite as easy to treat the disorder.

Helping a dog to overcome problems with separation anxiety is a process, just like other aspects of training, it takes time and repetition to be truly successful. The idea of “training away” separation anxiety seems unlikely—how can you address a behavior when you are not present to see, prevent or correct it? Fortunately, there are actions one can take to decrease separation anxiety and to prevent your dog’s frustrated behavior from spiraling out of control during your absence.

Prepare the dog for your departure. Many people have a tendency to lavish attention on their dog before leaving. They may take extra time to play with the dog or find other ways to try to squeeze in a little extra “quality time” with their canine friend. Though well intended, this only makes the owner’s departure even more noticeable and worrisome for the dog. Instead of petting and kissing the dog goodbye, owners dealing with separation anxiety should take measures to correctly prepare the pet for their absence.

This can be done by intentionally decreasing interaction with the pet prior to leaving. Although one may want to spend extra time with a pet before leaving him alone, the best practice is to actually come close to ignoring your pet for several minutes prior to leaving. This will make your departure less jarring and should serve to decrease the dog’s level of anxiety.

If you are leaving for an extended period and feel the need to connect with your pet and to enjoy their company, find ways to do so earlier in the day. Resist the urge to say “goodbye” before actually leaving.

Provide an immediate distraction for the dog. Right before leaving, it is desirable to provide the pet with some sort of distraction. A new toy, for instance, may serve to occupy his attentions, allowing for a smoother transition to his “alone time.” Whatever immediate distraction is provided, make sure it is something that is likely to interest the dog for several minutes. The objective, after all is to maintain his attention on something other than your absence for as long as can be reasonably expected.

This technique has the added benefit of teaching your pet that his time alone will result in a pleasurable experience. He will begin to connect your departure with a fun toy or diversion instead of feeling it will only bring anxiety and loneliness.

One should also provide a more lasting distraction. Dogs crave human contact and will unavoidably miss it while alone. However, maintaining something of a human element to their surroundings can decrease the separation anxiety the feel when left without company.

Many have experienced success by keeping a radio or television tuned to programming featuring a great deal of dialogue. The dog will hear human voices and although he certainly won’t be fooled into believing he is in the company of human friends, the sound is still soothing and can reduce feelings of stress and loneliness.

Separation anxiety can be an absolutely befuddling issue for a dog owner. Even the most well-mannered and well-trained dogs can suddenly transform into destructive troublemakers as a result of separation anxiety. Training away this difficulty can be hard, especially when a dog feels very connected to his owner. However, by preparing your dog and utilizing appropriate immediate and lasting distractions, one can reasonably expect to reduce the anxiety experienced by their dog.

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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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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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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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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?

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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

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