I Love Animals

A wrapping of fur is not all there is to your dogs skin. It is also a factory for vitamin D production, it protects the internal parts from injury, bacteria, and viruses, and it contains a sensory system that is unsurpassed. The network of skin nerve cells goes to work when your dog is cold, has a cut, or receives a pat on the heat. In cold weather, the hairs stand erect and form air pockets that insulate against the cold.

Healthy skin and hair coats are flexible, glossy, and free of excessive oiliness, redness, dandruff, scabs, eruptions, or parasites. Run you hand against the hair coat and check for growths or blemishes. There should also be no areas of hair loss. Each dog has its own shedding cycle, which may change from year to year. Some pets shed a small amount all the time, while others lose large clumps at various levels.

Pets can have freckles, concentrations of cells containing the brown pigment called melanin. These can be found anywhere on the skin and even in the mouth. Be sure to check the skin’s special alterations, the mammary glands, the foot pads, the claws, and whiskers.

Frequently check your dogs paws. The thick, pigmented, tough footpads are excellent shock absorbers. The pads are named for their location. Pets have sweat glands in the footpad area. If your dog gets excited at the veterinarians office, you may see sweaty paw prints on the exam table. Check the spaces between the toes. Since your dog walks barefoot and this is a very moist area, the interdigital area can be easily irritated and infected by briars, stones, foxtail, sand, and salt.

Your dogs whiskers or tactile hairs as some veterinarians refer to them, are long, stiff hairs located on the muzzle, upper eyelids, cheeks, and legs. They are used as feelers and are especially handy for navigation at night or in dark areas. There is a fable belief that a dogs sense of balance will be lessened if the whiskers are cut or shortened, but there is no truth to this at all. If any unusual changes or defects are found on your pet, do not hesitate to take him to the veterinarian, as changes can indicate an internal illness or parasite.

Is your pet’s world truly safe? Pet Safety Lights are designed for all pets with owners who care.

Responsible and caring pet owners are bound to appreciate the extra protection provided for their pets during evening walks and nighttime runs. The PET Blinkie allows the owner and others i.e. drivers, etc. - to see your pet from greater distances, therefore assuring additional stopping and swerving time. Many pets are accidentally injured and killed by vehicles, motorcycles, skateboards and bicycles. Now you can minimize or prevented this with the new Pet Blinke Illuminated Dog Collars.

If you love your pet, you will love the Pet Blinkie. Pet Blinkie is vibrant, multi-color lights that attach easily to a collar, leash or harness. Pet Blinkie is waterproof and visible up to 1/2 mile away. Available in seven blinking, vibrant colors.

Responsible and caring pet owners are bound to appreciate the extra protection provided for their pets during evening walks and nighttime runs. The smallest, lightest and brightest flasher we have tested. It uses LEDs rather than bulbs to flash various colors. The stainless steel Pet Blinker is only 2.25 inches long and about 1/2 inch wide. Water resistant and visible up to 1/2 mile away. The Pet Blinke will cause those around you to take notice. This is a very wild and powerful light! Runs on three included watch batteries, which can be replaced. Turn the lens to turn it on and off.

http://www.thespymart.com/petsafetylights.htm

1. According to tests made at the Institute for the Study of Animal Problems in Washington, D.C., dogs and cats, just like people…

A. Worry about what they will wear to work in the morning.

B. Enjoy reading while eating breakfast.

C. Need a retirement plan.

D. Are either right-handed or left-handed-or rather favor either their right or left paws.

D. Are either right-handed or left-handed-or rather favor either their right or left paws.

TBD: Very, very, interesting, don’t you think?

2. Jackals are different from dogs and wolves in what way?

A. They live on a different continent.

B. They are really alien life forms.

C. They are canids.

D. They have one more pair of chromosomes.

D. They have one more pair of chromosomes.

TBD: Even though they may look like alien life forms, they are Canids just like dogs and wolves.

3. Most dogs have about 100 different facial expressions, most of them made with their ears. However, a few breeds have only about 10 expressions. Can you name those breeds?

A. Bulldogs and Pitbulls

B. Labrador and Golden retrievers

C. Poodles and Dachshunds

D. Beagles and Chihuahuas

A. Bulldogs and Pitbulls

TBD: Due to their breeding, dogs such as Bulldogs and Pitbulls have fewer facial expressions and so are often misinterpreted by other dogs which leads to fights. Poor misunderstood pooches.

4. The fear of dogs and/or rabies is called what?

A. Rabodogophobia

B. Dogophobia

C. Cynophobia

D. Canophobia

C. Cynophobia

TBD: Hey, don’t blame us, that’s what the research says!

5. Of the more than 300 breeds of dogs that exist worldwide, how many does the American Kennel Club recognize?

A. 300

B. 212

C. 145

D. 101

C. 145

TBD: Gee, I wonder why you would have answered 101?

6. Jack London wrote this story about a dog named Buck. Can you name it?

A. A Dog Named Buck

B. Buck’s Marvelous Adventures

C. Don’t Pass the Buck

D. Call of the Wild

D. Call of the Wild

TBD: Gosh, we tried to make it easy for those nonliterary types out there… After all, there is even a movie! We read the book, however.

7. The Dalmation was named for the place where the breed first originated, can you name it?

A. Mount Dalmation in Africa

B. Dalmation coast of Croatia

C. Dalmation Island in the Thousand Islands

D. The tiny country of Dalmatia

B. Dalmation coast of Croatia

TBD: The other places are only a figment of our imagination, so far as she knows anyway…

8. Can you name the dog featured in the Grinch Who Stole Christmas?

A. Who

B. Max

C. Rudi

D. Suzi

B. Max

TBD: Phllllbbbttt! To those who didn’t know. It was Max who stole the show, don’t ya think!

9. The English Romantic poet Lord Byron inscribed this passage on a gravestone “Beauty without vanity, strength without insolence, courage without ferocity, and all the virtues of man without his vices.” Can you name the object of his tribute?

A. His beloved Newfoundland Boatswain.

B. His wife Anna Isabella.

C. His daughter Augusta Ada.

D. His granduncle William.

A. His beloved Newfoundland Boatswain.

TBD: Come on, be real! This is a quiz about dogs!

10. Can you name the dog who caused so many problems for Foghorn Leghorn in the Looney Tunes?

A. Rufus Wufus

B. Barnyard Dog

C. Just Dog

D. Spotted Dog

B. Barnyard Dog

TBD: That was news to us, too.

11. Which animal was first domesticated by humans?

A. Goat

B. Cat

C. Dog

D. Horse

C. Dog

TBD: Apparently some argument can be made that the goat might have come first in some areas, but the dog is Numero Uno for most evidence of early man!

12. Ralph and Sam, the Looney Tune wolf and sheepdog cartoon character adversaries, would engage in what activity between their bouts?

A. They would punch a time-clock.

B. They would have tea.

C. They would play bridge.

D. They would roller-skate.

A. They would punch a time-clock.

TBD: They would punch in at the beginning of each shift and out at the end as well as for their lunch break.

13. The Beatles son “Martha My Dear” was written by Paul McCartney about…

A. His sheepdog Martha

B. His mother Martha

C. His sister Martha

D. His veterinarian Martha

A. His sheepdog Martha

TBD: If you guess wrong, we sincerely hope you guessed “D” because this is a canine quiz after all.

14. Domestic dogs vary widely in appearance and size, but despite these differences all breeds of the domestic dog are essentially identical in anatomy. Which is NOT an anatomical characteristic of the dog?

A. An average of 321 bones in their skeleton.

B. Thirteen pairs of ribs in the rib cage.

C. A spine with seven cervical vertebrae, 13 thoracic vertebrae, seven lumbar vertebrae and three sacral vertebrae.

D. The presence of a dewclaw, an extra digit on the paw.

D. The presence of a dewclaw, an extra digit on the paw.

TBD: Apparently not all breeds have a dewclaw and this why the average number of bones in the skeleton varies!

15. Can you name the dog on the Cracker Jack box?

A. Jack

B. Bingo

C. Cracker

D. Prize

B. Bingo

TBD: Just think of all the knowledge we share to make your life more meaningful!

A Good Diet is the Basis for a Healthy Guinea Pig.

Daily Basics:

• Fresh Water
• Vitamin C
• Good Quality Guinea Pig Pellets
• Grass Hay
• Correct Fresh Vegetables

………………………………………………………………………………………………

• WATER: Should be fresh and cool ,needs to be changed daily, (best provided in a drip bottle to prevent contamination). Avoid using distilled water and avoid water that is high in minerals, especially if high in calcium. Vitamins or medications should not be added in the water.
• VITAMIN C: It’s well known Guinea pigs cannot manufacture their own vitamin C and require 10 to 30 mg daily . Whilst many guinea pigs receive adequate vitamin C from fresh vegetables and pellets, you may wish to ensure your guinea pig gets sufficient vitamin C by giving a quarter of a 100 mg chewable or plain vitamin C tablet. liquid vitamin C drops can also be given to each cavy. Young, ill and pregnant pigs require extra vitamin C. see my book for a complete Vitamin “C” Table
• PELLETS: Plain dye free high quality guinea pig pellets (mixes with nuts are considered too rich), formulated with Vitamin C. Allow approx 1/8 cup of pellets a day when also fed adequate hay and fresh vegetables. It’s best to purchase pellets in small quantities and store in a dry cool dark place to preserve the potency of the . Look for a pellet that uses stabilized vitamin C. It’s always best to avoid pellets that use animal byproducts and those whose primary ingredient is corn.
• GRASS HAY: Plenty of high quality, grass hay (timothy and orchard grass are popular) should always be available to each and every guinea pig, no matter what age. The Grass hay keeps their digestive system moving. It also helps prevent their teeth from over growing. Alfalfa hay can be given to young guinea pigs, pregnant, nursing or malnourished adults. Excess calcium could contribute to the formation of bladder stones in older guinea pigs.
• VEGETABLES: Fresh vegetables in small amounts (about a cup a day) are an important additional source of vitamin C and other nutrients. Parsley, romaine lettuce, a small piece of carrot, tomato, green or red pepper, spinach, and cantaloupe are popular choices. And clean, pesticide-free grass, clover, dandelion greens, corn husks and silk, will be appreciated by your pet. Be sure to Wash vegetables thoroughly. Vegetables must be introduced slowly, to avoid digestive upsets.

Graeme Guinea Pig Enthusiast

Well, technically, there is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Contrary to popular belief, people are not allergic to a dog’s hair or its dander but rather to a protein shed from the surface of the skin. Shedding spreads the protein and as a result causes an allergic reaction in some people. So, if a dog is low or non-shedding, it reduces the potential for an allergic reaction to this protein. (Saliva Allergies will react to any canine)

So, how do you find a low to non-shedding, allergy friendly dog with the temperament of a companion dog and without the hunting instincts of a terrier? Well, that’s the dilemma I found myself in when I wanted a third dog. My husband is already very allergic to the two retriever mixes we have, so there was no way I could add another shedding, allergy generating dog to our pack!

I discovered that the answer to our problem was created 25 years ago in Australia and is call a Labradoodle! Labradoodles give allergy suffers a practical opportunity to finally own a dog. And Labradoodles are increasing in popularity, because they’re very intelligent, playful, and depending on the Labradoodle - allergy-friendly dogs.

Now let’s begin with the Labradoodles fascinating history. Their story starts in Australia. Now the exact date when breeding began is still a question, however the current view among experts is sometime in 1988 or 1989. It all started with an inquiry from a visually impaired women in Hawaii, who wanted a guide dog that wouldn’t cause her husband’s allergies to flare.

The reason why she chose Australia was the countries quarantine laws. Because of their laws, dogs exported to Hawaii could go home with no quarantine.

Now in response to the women’s request, roughly thirty Poodle hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii to test for allergy friendliness over a two year period of time. Unfortunately, none on those original samples tested successful.

Following the unfortunate failure of those samples, a man named Wally Conren suggested to the Manager of the Australian Guide Dog Association to cross a Labrador Retriever and a Standard Poodle. Approval was granted and his first litter produced three puppies. Wally gave the resulting cross the name we use today—Labradoodle.

Now from those three puppies, hair and saliva samples were sent to Hawaii for testing once again. And this time, the samples from a puppy named Sultan were successful!

After the success of the first mating, Mr. Conren bred Labradoodle to Labradoodle, and called the subsequent offspring, “Double Doodles.” But he wasn’t done, because next he crossed the Double Doodles and called the offspring “Tri Doodles.” These were the forerunner to what we call today the Australian Multi-Generational (or Multi-Gen) Labradoodles.

Because of their unique coats, Labradoodles typically have no body odor, they don’t require constant bathing, and rarely attract fleas - which is great for all types of owners.

Certain Labradoodles are proving to be ideal for asthma and allergy sufferers, as wool and most fleece coat Labradoodles rarely shed. Labradoodles who have a hair-textured coat will shed, so are less likely to be suitable for allergy sufferers.

The continually increasing popularity of Labradoodles and Goldendoodles (a golden retriever/poodle cross) today has encouraged a slew of backyard breeders to jump on the doodle band wagon. So in order to get a healthy, allergy friendly dog for your family, it’s critical to find a reputable breeder. In my ebooks ‘The Definitive Guide To Labradoodles’ and ‘The Definitive Guide To Goldendoodles’ I give readers the tools they need to evaluate breeders and find the best possible puppy for their family!

Praise is the power in the training of your dog. In training, it is to be applied in liberal doses, at any and all opportunities. It is used when the dog does something right, and when he does something wrong. Don’t fall into the “easy” solution of giving him tidbits or snacks as rewards for his performance. The food will work, but eventually it will have to stop and then you’ve got a problem.

Praise when he does right needs little explanation. When he is first learning, give him praise when he has done something, even if you have had to guide, shove and haul him into it every step of the way. All the work in the beginning stages may have been yours but praise him as though he’d done something colossal. When he gets an idea of what you want and tries it experimentally, praise him to the skies.

Praise him with your voice, telling him “Good Boy!” and “Good Dog!” and even “Well done.” This is one case where there is no reason to stick to a single word or phrase – the tone of your voice will tell him all he wants to know. And praise him with your hands. Pat him, stroke him, fondle him, and scratch him. But let him have your touch as a reward and assurance that all is well.

Praising him when he has done something wrong may be a bit harder to understand, but it is perhaps more essential than praise for good work. It follows a good constructive correction first to straighten out whatever he has or hasn’t done. Then use praise to take his mind off the fact that is was you who did the correcting. The correction must always in the dog’s mind be a natural outgrowth of the wrong,, or of the failure to perform whatever is wanted.

When you correct him, come in immediately with praise; it lets him know that you are still on his side, still love him, and that all is well in the world. Correction, done fairly and firmly, will earn you his undying respect, if followed by praise and unaccompanied by any display of displeasure or lack of affection. Take this as another firm and basic rule of training – always praise after correction.

Play is important in training too. While he will probably never think of it as an actual reward, the play will establish completely friendly relations between you. While the training period should be kept businesslike, the play puts things back on the right footing – he will forget about the corrections, but the lessons will still be there.

One of the newest crazes in presents this year is dog gift baskets. It isn’t odd to see the little doggie stockings with treats in them around Christmas time, but lately dog lovers have found that giving these great gifts for pets is a fantastic way to let their little baby know they love them. Dog gift baskets usually consist of dog treats, a sweater, gourmet food, squeeze toys and a chew rope.

I decided to make my own for my sister-in-law’s dog, Tickles. Tickles is a female Pomeranian. My sister-in-law loves her dog so much that she has birthday parties for her. Yes, we wore party hats and sang happy birthday to her and had a cake for her. It was actually charming. I decided to send Tickles a home made basket for Christmas one year.

Dog gift baskets are very versatile so I decided to get creative with the project. I bought a wicker basket and put a pillow in it that I made. I found fabric that said ‘I love my mommy’ on it. I then took a baby doll nightgown and cut the front open to the top panel. I sewed the edges so her feet were free. I also made an opening for her fluffy tail to curl up out of.

Then I took doggie treats with the soft center and poked a hole up through it. Red and green ribbons added a little color. I made 6 of these and put them in a sleepy time tea box. I then took booties that I found for a baby doll and a nightcap that I attached a ribbon to for her head.

The bedtime theme was just one of two dog gift baskets that I created for Tickles. The second was a great toy collection that any pup would adore. I bought several squeeze toys like a bear and rubber ducks. I added some chew sticks that I wrapped in ribbon and added tassels to the tops.

I found dog treats that resembled cookies and put them in a box and decorated it to look like tea cookies. I then took thin pieces of wicker and built a frame around one end of the dog gift baskets to form a cover.I used the same fabric from the pillow that I made and attached it to the frame.

Lace was then sewed into the fabric to give the presentation an extra special touch. I then took a thin piece of fabric and attached Velcro to it. I then put Velcro on the frame and draped the fabric over the entire basket. My sister in law and little Tickles loved the dog gift baskets that I made her.

One of the most annoying behaviors with some dogs and puppies is constant barking. How many times have you been ready to give up or felt like you’re going nuts because you can’t seem to get your puppy or dog to stop barking? With a little training, love, and patience, this frustrating behavior can be reduced or eliminated.

Dogs bark for many reasons: boredom, alert/warning, attention-seeking, loneliness, and more. Sometimes barking becomes a learned behavior because owners mistakenly reward their dog with attention or treats in an effort to soothe their dog. No matter the situation, the worst thing you can do is to yell at your puppy when he is barking. Why? Because your puppy will think you are “barking” too and it just reinforces his behavior. He will only bark more. Fun, huh?

How to Teach Your Puppy to Stop Alarm-Barking at the Door

For this training technique you will need a partner and small spray bottle filled with a mixture of half water and half vinegar or lemon juice, or else a “penny can” (a soda can with a dozen pennies in it and the opening taped shut). Have your partner stand outside your closed front door and ring the bell. As soon as your dog starts barking, spray him in the mouth (be careful to avoid his eyes) or shake the can close to him to startle him and say “quiet.” Put your puppy on a “sit” behind you then open the door. Do this a couple times a day, and repeat the next day and the next until you can get your dog to stop barking with a simple command: “quiet.”

Another effective training solution is to use rewards and praise. Start with a partner at the front door and have them knock or ring the bell. When your puppy barks at the door, make a sound to distract him from the door and look at you. If he stops barking, say “quiet,” or “enough” (pick a word and be consistent). Give him a reward and praise. If he doesn’t stop barking, put that yummy treat right under his nose. When he stops barking for a couple seconds, say “quiet.” Wait a few more seconds and if he is still quiet, give him the treat and say “good dog.” There are two critical points: be sure to only reward your dog when he is quiet, and only use your command (”quiet” or “enough̶ when he is not barking. This way he will learn to associate the word with being quiet. Once he does, that one-word command is all you should need to stop him from barking.

What to Do If Your Dog Barks at Everything

When you dog barks at walkers passing by, the mail truck, a bike rider, etc., in his mind he barks and they go away. He did his job. We know the person or auto was just passing by, but your dog thinks it’s his barking that drove them away and he successfully defended his territory. This behavior can sometime be stopped by preventing your dog from getting a view to the street, either from the yard or his favorite window inside the house. But usually you need to do more than that. Using the “quiet” or “enough” training mentioned above is often a good approach.

Many dogs also bark out of boredom. If you have a boredom barker, avoid leaving your dog alone for long periods of time, especially outside. This reinforces territorial behavior, and leads to boredom. Plenty of exercise, attention, and playtime can go a long way in making sure your puppy has the proper outlet to help release his excess energy.

What if You Have an Attention or Protest Barker

If your puppy barks to try to get your attention try to ignore it. Don’t make eye contact or say anything. If you look at him or yell at him, you are giving him attention, which is just what he wants. If this doesn’t work, try squirting a water pistol at him as soon as he starts barking (don’t let him see where it’s coming from), clap loudly, blow a noisemaker, or make a sharp, silly sound to start him. Another technique is to simply get your dog to lie down. When my dog starts barking at me for attention, I put her on a “down” and a “stay.” Dogs don’t bark much when lying down and this usually works for me.

To help curb barking in protest because you have to leave him to go to work, the store, etc., try what I do: when I am ready to go out the door I give my dog a small treat and say “I’ll be right back.” She is so attuned to this now, she is already in a “sit” for her treat when she sees me get my purse and keys. I never have a problem with her barking or getting upset because I am leaving. I also leave the radio on, tuned to soothing music, and make sure she has some safe toys available.

Try a Citronella Collar

If you are really at your wits end with a chronic barker, you may want to try a citronella collar. Some people find these very effective in curbing constant barkers. This collar emits a harmless spray of citronella toward your dog’s muzzle as a correction for continual barking. They are available at most pet stores and online pet supply sites.

Controlling inappropriate barking requires on-going training using consistency, praise, and rewards. But it will be well worth the effort to maintain peace in your house, as well as with your neighbors.

The German Pinscher is the “middle” dog of the Pinscher breeds of Germany. The largest of the Pinscher dogs is the well known Doberman, while the smallest is the equally well known Miniature Pinscher. The “Standard” Pinscher is simply known as the “Pinscher” by the Kennel club of Great Britain and is called the Standard Pinscher in its home country of Germany. The word “pinscher” in German means terrier. The word “pincer” in French means “biter”. Either of these terms is an appropriate definition of the original functions of the German Pinscher, for it is as tenacious as a terrier, skillful and effective as a ratter and equally effective as a family watch dog that will aggressively attack any perceived threat.

The German Pinscher is a breed which is a bit taller than the average terrier and this length of leg prevents it from going to ground. The swiftness and determination of the dog makes up for this deficiency and it is a proficient rodent killer. A good ratter and naturally instinctive killer of varmints, the dog has proven itself to be useful on farms and in urban households. Besides its propensity to give chase to small animals, it is also an effective guarding dog with a noisy bark when strangers appear. It will not hesitate to attack if it feels that its human family is threatened and it is large enough to do considerable damage. Through the centuries the temperament of this dog has always been a blend of terrier and working aptitudes and in the end it has been classified as a Working dog both within the F.C.I. and the American Kennel Club, while in the Kennel Club of Great Britain and the United Kennel Club of the United States it is classified as a member of the Terrier groups.

During and after the World Wars its population was very nearly decimated to the point of extinction. For eleven years, from 1949 to 1958, there were no litters registered by the F.C.I. In 1959 a fancier by the name of Werner Jung became interested in the preservation of the breed and began an extensive search for possible specimens. He found 4 overly large Miniature Pinschers and some typical Pinschers of the day and began a systematic breeding to reproduce the original Pinscher. It is because of his efforts that the original breed is still in existence today.

The German PInscher is a moderately sized dog, standing at 16-19 inches tall at the withers. The weight should not be more than 25-35 pounds. It has a very short and smooth coat which is commonly black with tan points similar to the Doberman but can also be fawn or red or dark brown. Cream color is disallowed in the standard. The German Pinscher is an elegant dog but surprisingly never gained the popularity of its larger cousin, the Doberman, nor its smaller cousin the Miniature PInscher. This is a dog that fits well into an urban or farm environment, with an easy care coat and a generally good disposition when brought up with good socialization and early training.

Owning a dog or puppy gives pleasure to millions of people, however the choice of which breed of dog to purchase deserves more thought that it typically receives.

Owning a dog or puppy is a big responsibility, yet someone who has little time to exercise their pet or is away from home for long periods of time often buys a breed which is very demanding, leading to a poor relationship between them and their dog.

There are numerous breeds of dog in the world so the choice of which breed to purchase can be extremely daunting. One of the best methods of seeing which breeds of dog are available is to visit a large dog show, where you can see the dogs up close and ask questions to existing owners.

Find out as much as you can about the breed of dog you are interested in; Can you afford to feed the dog or puppy? Can you provide the right type of housing or living environment? Will you be able to provide the correct level of exercise for the dog and at the right times?

Remember a puppy may well grow into a much larger dog and therefore need more food, larger living space and a great deal more exercise. It is a sad fact but many dogs are abandoned because they have grown too large for their owners to cope with their demands.

Think about the practical aspects of owning a particular breed of dog. If it is a long haired breed then you’ll need more time to groom its coat. If you buy a female dog then they will come into season twice a year and have to be kept away from male dogs to avoid mating.

Many people start by buying a puppy but there are lots of adult dogs available who are looking for a good home and are often well trained and ready to fit into a loving family or home environment.

Think about the financial aspect of owning a dog or puppy; Can you afford veterinary bills and certificates? Will you need health and insurance cover? Does the dog have specific nutritional requirements or food costs?

Taking the time to think about these important questions *before* buying a dog or puppy will make sure you get the animal that is right for you and more importantly make sure you are right for your dog or puppy!