2008年9月16日星期二

Verbally Correcting One Dog When You Have Two

A poster from our discussion forum asked:

"I have two dogs- - a Pit Bull and a Boston Terrier. I have read that you should not use the dog's name and [the word]"No" together so that the dog does not associate negative feelings with his name. So how do I tell one dog "No," without both feeling like they are both in trouble?

Situation: The Pit Bull is happily playing with her chew toy. The Boston Terrier is chewing on my sofa. How do I let the sofa chewer know that he is in the wrong (the Boston knows better. I have corrected him using the prong collar in the past and by just saying, "No," will get him to stop) without making the Pit Bull think that she is in trouble.

Adam replies:

Eye contact.

You don't need to worry about the other dog's "feelings." Just make eye contact with the dog you are going to correct.

If the dog is chewing on your couch you should NOT BE GIVING VERBAL CORRECTIONS. You should be giving leash corrections.

Chewing on the couch is a major infraction. We don't give $2 tickets for chewing on the couch. We give $200 tickets. Otherwise, your correction will have no meaning. (Keep the tab and training collar on the dog.)

You shouldn't be giving exclusively verbal corrections for this behavior. Period. Two, maybe three leash corrections for this behavior and your dog should never do it again. If he continues doing it, then you know that your corrections aren't firm enough. Also, you may want to try taking one link out of the pinch collar. It should be a snug fit.

I don't advise pet owners to ever use the dog's name in conjunction with the word "No."

That's all for now, folks!
Adam

2008年9月4日星期四

Havana-brown-cat


Description

The British shorthaired breed bearing this name is the brown variety of the Oriental Shorthair, while the American version is a separate breed with a distinctive body and head type.

Though originally named for the brown color, a lavender frost color is also permitted in some associations.

The Havana is a very outgoing breed that loves following its people around.


breed Traits

Rather than attempt a Siamese body style as British breeders have done, American breeders have favored a more moderate body and head type for their Havana Browns. The British Havana Brown is considerably more Siamese in conformation than North American Havanas. The American Havana Brown’s distinctive muzzle, rich color, expressive eyes, and large ears make it distinctive and exceptionally striking among the American cat breeds.

The Havana’s coat is also distinctive. Color is very important to this breed: the coat should be a rich, even shade of warm brown, tending toward red-brown or mahogany rather than black-brown. Allowance is made for ghost tabby markings in kittens and youngsters.

History

The Havana Brown is a man-made hybrid of self-brown cats outcrossed with a variety of other breeds such as black Domestic Shorthairs, chocolate point Siamese and Russion Blue cats. The breed was created in the 1950’s by a number of English breeders collaborating together using self-brown cats that existed as early as the late 1800’s. Known as Havanas in Europe, these cats were first imported to North America in the mid-1950’s. Soon after their arrival, they became known in the U.S. as Havana Browns. Modern British Havana strains are reported to have an increased Siamese cat influence compared to the North American lines. The Havana Brown is recognized by the cat Fancier’s Association (CFA), the American cat Fancier’s Association (AFCA) and The International cat Association (TICA).

Appearance

All Havana Brown cats are a rich, glistening dark brown with just a hint of red. The colour must be even from nose to tail and from tip to root. Whiskers should be brown; nose leather and paw pads are a rose colour that harmonises with the coat. Since Havanas are a shorthair breed, routine grooming is kept to a minimum.

Personality

Havanas are gentle, intelligent and remarkably adaptable. They take almost any situation in stride, and with confidence and poise set about to rule whatever roost they are given. One-room walk-up or palace – it’s all the same to them as long as they have plenty of love and attention from their human friends.

Havanas make wonderful companions if you like interactive cats. Devoted, affectionate and constantly curious, Havanas want to be where you are, preferably right in the middle of the action. They want to help you read the paper in the morning, type on the computer in the afternoon, and prepare dinner in the evening. Their playful attitudes and ability to adjust to other pets and children make them great family companions. Unlike the Siamese, they are vocally quiet.

However, like the Siamese, Havanas need human interaction and don’t do well if they are ignored or left alone for long periods. Havanas are just not happy without humans around to love. If you work all day and have an active social life at night, consider a less dependent breed.
for:htt://www.pictures-of-cat.com

2008年8月28日星期四

Puppy Buying: Some Things to Consider

So you have decided to buy a dog for your family you are wondering what breed is right for you. That’s great! Now you just need to carefully decide what kind of dog will be the best fit for you and your family. The most important considerations is the size and the amount of grooming they will need, but there are many other things to consider.

Different breeds also have different needs. So do families. You need to honestly ask yourself how much time you have for a dog. How big is your garden? How much time do you have to spend with your dog? Will you have time to walk them regularly? Have them trained? Do you have very small children in the house? What will you do with the dog if you go away on vacation often?
If you are sure you want a dog you need to think very carefully about what kind of breed will suit your family's needs. What kinds of things should you look for when choosing a breed and buying the dog?

You should try to find out more about the breed before you get the dog. Try to read whatever you can about the breed you are thinking about choosing. It's really vital that you learn as much as you can about the breed you are intending to buy. Some dogs are more susceptible to different genetic disorders.

Large dogs can suffer all kinds of problems. Their joints and bones are vulnerable. They are more susceptible to hip-displasia - a degenerative hip disease which can be painful and chronic. They take up much more room so you will need a large back yard for them to run; they need lots of exercise. If you are on a tighter budge you may want to consider a smaller dog because they do not eat as much.

Smaller breeds have problems of their own. Little dogs with short noses (muzzles) are susceptible to breathing problems far more than their larger counterparts. This is because there is not as much space for the breathing organs to develop. You can't tell by looking at a puppy, whether they will have health problems later in life. Smaller breeds are prone to sinus and nasal problems. There are many other breeds with specific health risks associated.

Grooming should be another consideration before you buy a dog. If you have the time to come your new Yorkshire Terrier or Maltese then by all means get this breed. They require daily combing of the hair however you can keep it short. The more self sufficient breeds would be the Boston Terrier or Pugs. They have such short hair that it needs very little maintenance.

Ask dog breeders any questions before deciding and buying the dog. A professional dog breeder can tell you more about the specifics on the particular breed you are considering.

2008年8月22日星期五

Companions, Workers, Helpers all on Four Legs!

Dogs over the years have become a very integral part of our lives. They are our loyal companions. They do not talk back, they do not judge us, they are there when we need their companionship and their help.

Today we use dogs for a wide range of tasks. There are dogs to lead the blind, help people in wheelchairs, visit sick people in hospitals, sniff out drugs and so much more.

Of course for a dog to get to this point, extensive training is necessary. For some dogs they are specifically bred for some of these tasks. For example the Seeing Eye breeds their own German Shepherds, Labrador Retrievers, Golden retrievers and Labrador/Golden crosses. These dogs spend time with a foster family until they are old enough to return for training.

It is the foster family's responsibility to love, care for and give gentle guidance to this possible future Seeing Eye dog. This dog will allow somehow who is visually impaired lead a normal independent life.

The foster family plays a very important part in the training process. They will be building the foundation for the intense training that these dog will go through.

They need to show this puppy as much of the outside world as possible. For example they need exposure to things such as traveling in a car, sounds, sudden noises, other animals, crowds etc. These dogs can not be spooked by these things when they are working as a Seeing Eye Dog.

If for some reason these dogs do not pass their training they are offered back to the foster family as a pet or are placed in a home or possibly another agency that will use the dog such as a police department.

Even though many of us that have dogs will never train our dog to this extent it is very important that we at least teach our dog the basics of obedience.

Our dogs need to learn how to walk on a leash, sit, lay down and come when called. Of course they also need to be housebroken. This training as I have said before starts the day we bring them home. You can't let that puppy run amuck for three months and then expect them to pick up on the training right away. You need to build the foundation blocks for future training.

One thing that people do seem to let a new puppy get away with is nipping. Some people seem to think since they still have their baby teeth it is no big deal. The nip just seems like a little love bite. What happens when your puppy outgrows those baby teeth and is still nipping? Well if you have a large breed dog I would say that someone could get seriously hurt. Even a small breed can do a lot of damage.

Would it not have been easier when the puppy first started this to correct it and refocus his biting over to an acceptable toy? Yes, I know, it is just so cute when they are biting your hand and growling when they are so small but it is not cute when they grow up and those jaws have enough force to not only break the skin but possibly break a bone.

Another thing that people tend to do when their puppy is small is to play rough with the puppy. The rough play does tire them out but unfortunately you are teaching them that this is acceptable behaviour. As they grow and become stronger they are going to be harder to handle. Wouldn't it be better to walk them or teach them to fetch a ball or a frisbee? This will also tire them out.

Even though you have introduced some bad habits right away these dogs are still very trainable. It may take a little longer, so remember to be patient when you are training. If you have the time and the patience you can teach you dog many things. Just training the basics is a good start but you can have so much fun teaching them other things as well. Not only will it tire them out but it will help you also.

Winter can be a miserable time of the year for those of us that get cold weather and snow. However I find it a great time to be out in the yard with the dogs. Their first snow has to be the funniest. Nothing to me is funnier than watching a dog catch a snowball and wondering where it went. The look on there face is priceless.

2008年8月14日星期四

Dog Toys - Stimulating a Restless Companion

Dogs can get bored and restless easily. This is usually when they cause problems. They need to be stimulated through play. Your dog needs plenty of playtimes with you, but you can't always play with your dog and this is when toys are important. Toys can satisfy a number of a dogs needs. There are some basic toys available for dogs today and hundreds of different selections. When choosing toys for your dog, consider its size and what it enjoys doing.

First off, toys must be appropriately sized for dogs. Logically, small toys are better for small dogs and large toys are better for larger dogs. You can see how a small toy would probably be destroyed or swallowed by a large dog and a large toy would be too big for a small dog's mouth. Along this same line of thinking, you should match the toy to your dog's chew strength. Heavier chewers would need stronger, more durable toys and softer chewers would need lighter, easier to gnaw on toys. Puppies would need softer toys that should be replaced as the dog grows.

You may walk in a dog store and pick out toys that are colorful. Unfortunately, a dog has a difficult time distinguishing color and it would be wiser to pick out toys of different shapes, sizes, flavors and smells. Remember, a dog's strongest sense is smell, so choose toys with aromas. A selection of five or six toys, that are rotated frequently, should be enough to keep your pet actively engaged.

There are different toy categories to choose from and the deciding factor will be what your dog likes to do. There are chewing toys, fetching toys, playing toys and puzzle and treat toys. If your dog just loves to chew, then supplying him with some chew toys will keep your favorite slippers safe. An aggressive chewer should be suited with a hard rubber and nylon toy that won't be easily broken down. Chew toys are also ideal for dental health, so they will be a good option for almost any dog. Balls and Frisbees are always fun when playing fetch. The rope toy is great for a game of tug of war, but be cautious of playing this with an overly aggressive dog. Squeaker toys and glow or light up toys will keep your dog's interest, while the soft and plush toys are cute and fun. Treat toys will help with training and also ease a dog's separation anxiety. For the high energy and intelligent dogs, puzzle and treat teaser toys will test their minds. They teach the dog through play with them by hiding a treat inside. Just be careful to check all toys for possible pieces that may come loose and be swallowed.

As you can see, there are many types and selections of toys available to entertain and stimulate your pet. Taking into account their size, likes, chewing strength and intelligence, you can find the most suitable toys to keep their playtime interesting and fun.

2008年8月9日星期六

Wire Fox Terrier Puppy And Dog Information

The Wire Fox Terrier is a scrappy, tough little dog. They are playful but they are generally not for families with other dogs or pets. They may fight other dogs, even larger ones and may consider other pets fair game. They like children, especially if they have been well socialized with them. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Wire Fox Terrier is 14 to 16 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 15 to 20 pounds. The female ranges from 13 to 15 inches to the withers and 13 to 18 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Wire Fox Terrier is no exception. Be on the look out for epilepsy (common in dogs), deafness, skin problems, lens luxation and Legg-Perthes. This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Wire Fox Terrier has a double weatherproof coat. This breed generally requires professional grooming at regular intervals. She should also be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Wire Fox Terrier can live between 12 and 14 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Wire Fox Terrier comes from England where they were raised to hunt vermin. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1885.

Some Registries:
*American Fox Terrier Club
*UKC United Kennel Club
*NKC National Kennel Club
*CKC Continental Kennel Club
*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.
*AKC American Kennel Club
*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale
*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club
*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain
*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club
*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 3 to 6 Wire Fox Terrier puppies

Category: Terrier Group

Terms To Describe: Quick, keen, energetic, bold, brave, affectionate, lovable,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS
Makes a good watch dog.
Sheds little to nothing.
Very intelligent.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS
Makes a poor guard dog.
May bark a lot.

*Other Names Known By: Wirehaired Fox Terrier, Fox Terrier Wire Coat, Wire,

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

2008年8月3日星期日

New Puppy - What You Need To Know

Previous dog owners are all very well aware of the unique bond that can be formed between master and dog. Previous dog owners could also tell you about the responsibility, the long term commitments, and responsible consideration for society and the people in it, when it comes to your dog. Of course most people, whether they have owned a dog or not, realize what a loyal and affectionate friend a puppy can be if treated properly and taught the difference between good and bad behavior. Choosing a new puppy, is not just a matter of the heart, but firstly a matter of the head when making this important decision. You need to logically consider things like how big the puppy will grow to, what potential health issues there could be, what the temperament of the dog will be, and how well that will fit into you and your families life style. Of the many important questions you should ask yourself before choosing a new puppy as a pet, probably the most important question is one you should ask yourself.Puppy ExpectationsThat questions is, what exactly is it that you want from a dog. Or perhaps what are your expectations for this new member of your family. Your dog will in essence become a new member of your family. Are you willing to share your home, and your life with this very new, very dependent family member? Some people expect a dog to carry out a specific task as a new member of their family. Such as expecting the dog to become a watchdog. Dogs, regardless of size will almost definitely sound some kind of warning, when your home or family members are approached by a stranger. Of course if you have more exacting requirements, than just having a poodle that barks at the mailman, then there are several things to consider. Certain breeds are excellent for guarding family and property, but specific training and handling are required to train and teach a dog to behave in this manner. Perhaps your expectations revolve around competing in dog shows and other competitions. If so, consider why you would enjoy this, and perhaps talk with someone who has done this type of thing before. Perhaps you looking for a dog that can be a playmate, and confidante to younger members of your family. Having a dog can be a great way to teach responsibility to young and growing members of your family.Do Some Doggy HomeworkThese are only a few of the possible expectations you may have for a dog in your life. The best thing you can do at this point, would be to sit down and carefully consider all the reasons why you want a new pet, and all the expectations you will have for the dog. Once you've done this, then you can start looking at the different types of breeds, and find the dog that will be right for you, your lifestyle, and your family. Happy puppy hunting.