Pet Information

~Soft nuzzle~I love my humans and they love me. I just had to sniff that out because I have been barking with my dogpal, Sam about his humans.

Sam is not tail wagging sometimes. Whine? Sam’s humans treat him like a human child. They expect him to know what they are barking about at all times. Well, Snort! Sam is a canine, not a small hairy human.

Poor Sam was feeling like such a bad dog. He barked that ever since he was a puppy, he gets punished sometimes when his humans come home. He has no idea what they are snorted about.

When he was a puppy, his humans tore up the newspaper for him to poop on. He does not understand that a big dog does not rip up the paper anymore. And his humans do not understand that HE does not consider it bad dog to tear up the paper.

He says that sometimes when he takes a trot around the neighborhood, he is punished when he comes home. Bark oh whine. Sam will never learn to come when barked at, if his humans continue to bark at him in anger when he does come back.

Perk up, humans. As much as we love you, you must try to understand that we dogs are still just dogs. We live in the NOW. We react to what we hear, smell, and see moving at this very moment. We do not know one and one equals two.

Some of us smart dogs, like me, have about 50 of your words that we recognize. And all of those words will be ignored if another human tries to hurt you, we see a rabbit or squirrell, or smell another dog. That is our instinct working. We can’t help it. So please do not punish us for being dogs.

We are reactive, instinct driven and survival orientated. Instinct is something that is either there or not there, and it covers survival, maternal, hunting, guarding, pack, and self preservation.

Logic is a human trait, not a canine one. We dogs can bark to each other, but we don’t always understand our human’s bark. We dogs can understand your stance, posture, tone of voice and a few words.

Now, just in case you have noticed that some of the things I have barked about could not possibly be known to a dog…well, I do not know a lot of these human words, so my mom human told me what to bark…

We dogs do not have to understand our humans at all to think they are the greatest and only thing that matters in our world. Until, of course, a rabbit runs by….

Bark at you later, BuddyB

Beagles are medium-sized dogs that are within the hound family. They are usually used for their strong sense of smell in hunting. They look similar to Foxhounds, but have longer, softer ears and are smaller.

It is believed that Beagles are the ancestor of the Talbot Hound, which William the Conqueror brought to Great Britain in the eleventh century.

The origin of the name “Beagle” is not known for certain, but it is believed to come from the French word “beguele”, which means “loudmouth”. Another possibility is the Old English term “beag”, which means “small”.

Beagles were primarily used for hunting in the past and they often emit a noise when in pursuit, known as “Beagle music” or tonguing. They are still used for hunting in some areas, but it is not as common as in the past.

Beagles are of medium length and have an oval skull and square muzzle. They have long, big ears and big brown eyes. Their tail is short and slightly curved and they have a smooth coat. The practical color of Beagles is white with some black and tan spots, but they come in a variety of colors along with white such as lemon, red and liver. At their birth, however, Beagles are usually born white and black and then other colors develop later.

Beagles are gentle and usually have good tempers. They are intelligent and strong willed, but that can lead them to be stubborn. Friendly and loyal, Beagles usually do not show aggression towards their owners. If socialized properly, they get along well with children and other dogs.

If not properly watched, Beagles can become stray as they will try follow scents to their destination, often ignoring cars and strangers.

Beagles may suffer from separation anxiety if they are alone for a while and are not around other dogs much.

Fortunately, Beagles are usually healthy dogs who live from 12 to 15 years. Some health problems, such as air not reaching past their ears, can be treated with daily cleaning or medication. Beagles can stay healthier with a diet of lamb and rice and by staying away from water which can cause ear infections. Their eyelashes can also grow too long, which is a condition known as distichiasis, so they must be cut.

Beagles can suffer from obesity because of careless owners who want to reward them too frequently. Beagles are prone to epilepsy and seizures as well, but it can be treated.

Beagles have been used to detect drugs and food passing through the United States. Unfortunately, due to their passiveness, Beagles are the dog breed most used in animal testing.

Popular Beagles include Snoopy from Peanuts, The Beagle Boys in Disney’s DuckTales, Lou in Cats and Dogs and Buckley in The Royal Tenenbaums. One Beagle is known for being a hero as it saved its owner’s life by dialing an emergency number. Beagles make great pets because they are highly intelligent, easy to care for and are very lovable and playful dogs.

The Norwegian Lundehund is one of the most unique dogs in existence. One could call it a “super dog” in its field, for it is curiously equipped to perform an exact function and has features which are not present in any other breed. The Lundehund is an ancient breed of dog, which still exists today, useful in the specific task of hunting the Puffin Bird. This bird is a small penguin type which nests in tight crevices in rocks and caves. The Lundehund has at least six double or triple jointed toes on each foot, a double jointed neck which allows it to twist its head almost completely backwards and upside down and ears which close up to prevent water from getting inside.

The standard of the breed requires very specific foot structure: there must be at least six digits on each foot (many have up to eight) and of those digits at least five must be a support for the dog. All five of the toes on the front and four on the back, must have three joints, the rest must all have double joints. The shoulder joints are also constructed so as to allow the dog to spread its front legs out at right angles to its body. All of these features are tools which the dog uses to reach into the rocks and caves which are the nesting places of the Puffin Bird and drag out the bird or its abandoned nest. Because of this breed’s unique nature, the Norwegian Lundehund and the Puffin Bird which it hunts are now protected by the Government of Norway and by conservationist organizations.

Not surprisingly, the breed is also called the Puffin Dog. The Puffin Dog was extremely useful and found in large numbers during the 17th and 18th centuries in Norway. The local people used the dog to hunt the bird for their own table use and also to sell the down feathers to Europe and England. Down pillows made from this bird were much in demand and until the use of nets became popular there were many families who kept two or three of these dogs, not only to provide food for their table but to provide income from the sale of the feathers. Gradually there was less demand for the Puffin dogs when the farmers began to use nets for the capture of the birds. In the more isolated villages the Norwegian Lundehund continued to be used and it is probably only because of their isolation that the breed survived the changes.

Around 1925 the breed had dropped so drastically in number that it was very near extinction. Around that time the Christie family, who were breeders of English Setters, became interested and made efforts to re-establish the breed. The Distemper outbreaks during the second World War nearly decimated the population again and it was only through the intervention of the Christies that the breed managed to survive and then in greatly reduced numbers. By 1960 the count was exceedingly low and Mrs. Christie, at the age of 70, again attempted to resurrect the original bloodlines. It is believed that she re-established the breed with only five specimens of the original breeding stock.

Today there are active clubs around the world who protect and cherish this unusual breed. The dog is a member of the F.S.S. of the American Kennel club.

Those who keep this dog as a pet need to be aware that there are some health problems associated with the breed. The Lundehund Association lists four specific diseases which are also common to some other breeds. These are all related to gastrointestinal problems which can be life threatening or require special diets. Testing can be done for these and it is highly important that breeders test for these conditions before using any dog for breeding. Pet owners need to keep in touch with the breeders of the dog for general health care questions.

Aside from detecting cancer and taking their owners to the doctor, dogs have contributed a great deal to mankind and his existence. Here is a brief description of 9 super canines and their remarkable stories dating back in time:-

Super Dog 1: Barry.

St Bernard lived in a monastery from 1800 to 1810. This dog saved many lives on the dangerous pass between Swiss-Italian border. This pass took people to over 8000 feet above sea level causing all sorts of problems.

Super Dog 2: Stubby in 1918.

Stubby was the most decorated hero in US military history. And rightly so because this pit bull terrier played as important a role in the war as any other soldier did if not better. This canine went along with the American soldiers on 17 different battles which in itself is a remarkable achievement. This dog operated in extreme conditions to locate wounded American soldiers so that they can be helped and rescued to safe places.

Super Dog 3: Togo

In 1925, this Siberian husky must have broken the land speed record because Togo travelled nearly 130 miles day. The total journey time was 5.5 days covering a distance of nearly 700 miles. Add to that the Alaskan snow and the whole journey looks virtually impossible. But, Togo made it to his intended destination and delivered its cargo of medicine. Guess what the cargo was? It was serum to prevent an epidemic of diphtheria and Togo did indeed prevent the spread of diphtheria.

Super Dog 4: Rin Tin Tin.

Rin Tin Tin was a famous movie star in his short life from 1918 to 1932. Rin Tin Tin had his own limousine to take him about. Add to that, a personal chef for Rin Tin Tin to accompany him on his travels and to organise his meals. Rin Tin Tin is rumoured to have passed away in the arms of the actress Jean Harlow. Way to go Rin Tin Tin.

Super Dog 5: Rob.

This “Collie” ran very dangerous missions during the 40s or around the time of the second world war. He would go behind enemy lines using parachute. He would the army personnel get a good night sleep by standing guard in their place.

Super Dog 6: Laika

Laika became world famous for its travels. This was the first non human to travel round the world. Laika travelled in the Russain spaceship sputnik 2 and had its names added to the history. Unfortunately, she only lived for a few hours so Laika’s fame was short lived.

Super Dog 7: Roselle

Roselle led her blind owner to safety. This is a recent story and relates to the 9/11 incident in twin tower New York. Roselle; a Labrador, not only guided its owner down the 78 story building but also helped him to safety by taking his owner to a friends house.

Super Dog 8. Endal.

A wheel chair bound man was knocked out of his chair and became unconscious. This Labrador moved the man into recovery position, covered him with a blanket and finally moved a mobile phone near the man so that he could call for help. Endal by his quick thinking saved this man’s life.

Super Dog 9: Orca

Orca saved lives of children. A group of children went missing on a mountain excursion in South Africa. This Alsation helped the rescuer find so that they could be brought to safety. Fortunately, all the children were rescued to safety thanks to the efforts of Orca.

Finally, dogs have made an invaluable contribution to mankind recently in tackling life threatening medical conditions by making diagnosis. Dogs will continue to amaze me by their valuable input for years to come.

According to the American Humane Society, just 15% of dogs in shelters ever find their way home again. Thankfully, these loved pooches had identification, enabling shelter personnel to contact and return them to their owners. With such discouraging statistics, it becomes clear how important it is to tag or identify your new puppy.

Even if your dog doesn’t go outside much or is always in your company, you must identify him or her. Windows and doors can be left open, offering your pup a too-tempting escape to the outside world. What should you do to keep your pup safe at home?

There are several ways to ID your pet to prevent against loss or theft. Ideally, implement at least two methods to ensure a safe return should your dog go missing.

Tattoos and microchips provide permanent ways to identify your dog. Shelters, veterinarians, and research laboratories know to look for these keys when animals are brought to their facilities.

Tattoos: this permanent identification system involves tattooing a code onto the dog’s skin, often inside the outer ear or on the inside of its leg. Veterinarians or trained specialists will ink the code for you. You will need to list your dog with one of the many tattoo registry programs around the country.

Microchips: these minuscule electronic chips are embedded under your dog’s skin. Because special scanners are needed to read the information located on the chip, most veterinarians, shelters, and research laboratories have these on hand to scan all strays for identification. Several registries offer membership for dogs with microchips.

While tattoos and microchips offer excellent safety measurements at a reasonable cost, the fact is most people don’t know to look for a tattoo or have the means available to scan for microchips. As a result, it’s essential you provide your pup with an ID tag worn on its collar. ID tags are often the first thing searched for when a stray is found by someone.

At a minimum, the tag should list a current phone number. Because people move and phone numbers change often, a second phone number of a trusted friend or family member is also recommended. If space is available, additional information to include is: your puppy’s name, your address, and any medical conditions.

Luckily, dog ID tags are not expensive to purchase, so it should be one of the first things you get your dog, once you’ve chosen a name. You can usually find just the right tag, too, that fits your lifestyle and your pet’s personality. Tags come in different materials, such as aluminum, brass, stainless steel or plastic, and in a variety of shapes and colors. Today’s glamour pooch can even have his or her own tag made of Swarovski crystals! When it comes to choosing a fun dog ID tag, the choices are limitless.

Whatever methods you use when protecting your pet against loss or theft, please remember to keep the contact information current. Just a few minutes of your time to update registry information or purchase a new dog tag can make all the difference in the world in your beloved dog’s life.

Many dogs today suffer from itchy skin caused by a variety of factors. Dogs actually have more sensitive skin than humans, and are often exposed to a variety of irritants in their environment. These grooming tips may help alleviate your dog’s constant itching.

Brushing your dog daily will remove pollens, grasses, and other outdoor irritants as well as stimulating the skin’s circulation and preventing matting. Brush carefully and down to the skin, taking care not to tug on tangles, and using a soft bristle brush on sensitive areas.

Bathing should also be done on a monthly basis, following a thorough brushing. Use a natural, low lather, low irritant shampoo, wet your dog down thoroughly with lukewarm water, and apply the shampoo using your hands. Avoid getting water or shampoo in his eyes and ears, and lather all over, right down to his skin, then rinse thoroughly. Shampoo residue is a major cause of skin irritation for dogs. After rinsing, towel dry your dog, and avoid using any coat finishers or blow dryers, which can also cause skin irritation in a sensitive dog.

Grooming is essential for a dog’s skin health, helps you identify skin problems early on, and is a great way for you to bond with your dog as well!

If you own, or are thinking about owning a dog there are some things you will need to know about Dog Behavior if you are going to have a great relationship in the future.

Most experts recommend some kind of formal training. Your dog is still an animal at heart and in order for you to have the best relationship possible you will need to not only understand how your furry friend views what goes on in your house, but also look into what causes some of the responses in your dogs…

Dogs are still wild animals. Many dog owners and enthusiasts have been said to project human emotions onto their pets. Nobody argues that dogs experience the world differently to what we do; experts know that dogs have their own range of canine responses to situations that we cannot fully understand yet.

Most people are concerned about aggression and biting. And rightfully so, there are far too many stories about dogs who have been pushed over the edge. Nobody wants their children or loved ones to be injured by their dogs.

When you are trying to understand dog Behavior it’s useful to remember that your cuddly bundle is descended from wolves and sometimes these responses are innate.

If you have children in the house you will need to take some care to avoid becoming one of the almost five million Americans being bitten annually. While the majority of these dogs bite people who threaten them, or their owners. Teaching your children to respect other dogs will make a big difference.

If you are thinking about bringing a new dog into the house then you will also need to establish a hierarchy. You are the pack leader and the dog must never be in doubt about who is in charge.

Socializing your puppy well will also ensure a smooth relationship. Get your dog used to remaining composed in stressful situations. Just make sure your dog is vaccinated first!

Reward your puppy for good behavior. Professionals who work with dogs often use positive reinforcement to speed up the process. If your puppy grows up with the children you are far more likely to have an easier time.

If you have adopted an adult dog or your dog has picked up some problem behaviors then you might need to call in some help. Dog behaviorists have a proven track record with correcting problem behaviors in dogs. Check that they are licensed or belong to some kind of association. Also be sure to ask what kinds of methods they use to correct the behavior.

Rather correct the behavior before someone gets hurt and prevent tragedy before it occurs.

Try to encourage a loving but respectful relationship between your dog and the children. Most dogs don’t take kindly to having their tails tugged while eating!

You bring home a new bundle of joy. He is got beautiful brown eyes, a cute little button nose and a tail? That is right. You have just brought home a puppy. He is loving, loyal and playful. But what is that? Oops, you did not think about house breaking him. So, now what do you do?

There have been several theories on how to housebreak a puppy. Some say to train on a schedule; after feeding, put the puppy outside until he goes. Or put him in the kitchen with newspapers so he has a specific place to go and then move him outside. If you use the latter, keep in mind that he may start using the newspaper before you are finished with it. After all, you taught him that it was an acceptable area to relieve himself.

Which ever you chose, the one thing to remember is you will need to have patience with your new friend and to keep in mind he only wants to please you.

The first step on this journey is to watch his behavior. When he is outside and does his business, what does he do? Does he sniff around for a while and go in an open area or does he prefer the corner of the yard? Once you know his preferences, you can watch him while he is inside, when he starts checking out corners of the room, you know it is time to get him outside. Make sure you use the same door every time. This will avoid confusion in his mind.

When it is time to go to sleep for the night, you may want to put the puppy in a crate. Dogs are, by nature, den animals. They will do just about anything to not soil where they sleep. It will still be necessary for you to watch your puppy. You cannot expect him to hold it until morning when even an adult human sometimes needs to get up in the middle of the night. If he starts to get restless or fidgety, take him outside and wait until he is finished.

Should it so happen that the puppy forgets himself, don’t strike him or punish him. It will only make him hand-shy and afraid of his owner. It will be hard to regain his confidence. And should he select dark places underneath the bed, closets and dim corners to hide his misdemeanors, clean them up with a strong solution of disinfectant to eliminate the unpleasant odor and to make the puppy shun the same place again. Above all, do not push the puppy’s nose in his filth as a corrective measure; this accomplishes nothing as far as he is concerned.

The most important thing is to be consistent! Let the little guy know what you expect from him. Reward him with treats and praise when he does as he is suppose to. In the long run, how the house training process goes will determine if you become a dog lover, not just a dog owner.

There is no doubt that Americans love their pets. Human beings and dogs have been living together for tens of thousands of years. There is a saying that “a dog he is a man’s best friend.”

I am myself have three dogs; two Siberian Huskies, and a good old-fashioned American Mutt that I rescued from a pound.

Although a dog may be your best friend, a dog could turn into your worst nightmare if the dog bites and/or otherwise attacks a person.

In the state of California; dog owners are strictly liable for the actions of their dogs. In other words if your dog bites a person, you are strictly liable for all damages that the dog causes.

No matter how well trained your dog is, you really never know when they will bite. Even small breeds can cause bites that result in permanent scarring, and significant damages.

It is your responsibility as a dog owner to ensure that your dog does not bite another person. You should always walk your dog on a leash; secure your yard and home so that the dog cannot run away and bite someone; and secure your dog in a room when you have visitors at your home. If you do not take precautions when it comes to your dog, you could get hit with significant damages in a lawsuit if you’re dog bites someone.

In some instances, your homeowner’s insurance policy may cover you if you’re dog bites someone in your home or on your property. In some instances they may not. If you do have homeowners insurance that will cover a dog bite, that is great, however in the end you will probably end up paying a higher premium for homeowners insurance, or have your insurance canceled altogether. If you do not have insurance, you can get stuck with a massive judgment in a lawsuit that you have to pay out of your own pocket.

There is another issue with respect to dog bite cases that affects landlords who rent their property out to persons who own dogs; a landlord can be held liable for their tenant’s dogs under negligence, and premises liability theory. I have successfully handled cases against landlords whose tenant’s dogs bit a person.

Landlords are not strictly liable for dog bites caused by their tenant’s dogs, however they could be held liable under negligence and premises liability theory, if they know or should have known that any dogs owned by their tenants had a propensity to be aggressive and/or to bite people.

The bottom line is this; love your dogs, enjoy your dogs, but make sure you keep your dogs under control at all times. The consequences of not doing so could be disastrous.

If you are a landlord, you may want to exercise extreme caution when renting to people with dogs.

By Norman Gregory Fernandez, ESQ © 2006

People frequently ask how a Dog Behaviorist and Dog Obedience Trainer relates to dogs and earns their respect and control . . . and especially that of the Dominant Dog. The first part of that answer is simply stated but difficult for many people to internalize and act upon: To relate to a dog, you must first see and treat him fully as a DOG!

Before you can deal with a dog dominance issue at home or in dog obedience training, you must recognize that dog behavior and dog communication are NOT in line with human psychology. After all, your dog is a CANINE (canis familiaris of the Family Canidae), and not homo sapiens. So he thinks like a canine, not like a person. Your dog responds as one might in a wolf pack, not as a human family member. He or she has real emotions, but they are canine emotions, not human emotions, and not to be mistaken as such.

The basic communication system of dogs involves three critical elements –silence, submission, and leadership — sometimes referred to generally as the dog whisper technique, with elements of wolf pack communication. We will use these elements in this and subsequent dog training articles about solving Dog Dominance problems. You and I need to understand, read, and use your dog’s own communication system for optimal effectiveness in working with him.

Dogs have an inherent Pack Psychology which governs their thinking and actions. In a pack, there is one dominant one, and the rest are all followers. There is one Alpha male and one Alpha female. To relate to a dog from a position of strength, respect, and control, YOU must be the Alpha Leader, the Pack Leader, and you must use pack psychology and pack communication.

Often we see dominant dogs taken home as young pups, because people are amused by their spirited behavior. Actually, they are usually the first puppies chosen, the proverbial Pick of the Litter. However, if this high-spirited nature is not controlled, then things get out of control quickly . . . becoming worse over time . . . until the situation sometimes becomes dangerous. Dominance can lead to violence.

So you might look for a mature dog, such as a Shelter Dog or Rescued Dog. However, looking for a less dominant pet is not so easy in shelters. There a dog’s true nature is difficult to discern without the aid of an experienced person. While in the shelter, the dog rarely has an area or anything that is under the dog’s control, so there is little opportunity to observe possessiveness and dominance problems.

Nor are dogs cooped up in shelters able to burn off excess energy. It’s very hard for an untrained eye to differentiate between an excited “Please take me home” and the more troublesome “I want to control you!” of the hyper-active, dominant canine.

But the dominance problem quickly becomes evident when you go home and relax, for dominance shows up where perceived weakness is present. For example, petting your dog when it is submissive (e.g., sitting or lying down) is appropriate and desirable, but not when it is in an aggressive or dominant stance.

If you display any sign of soft laxity at the wrong time because of your affection, that will be interpreted by your dog as weakness . . . and then, “Katie bar the door!” With dominant types, you simply cannot afford to let down your guard or to make an exception “just this once” because the pup is so cute.

You must establish and maintain firm, consistent control of the Dominant Dog at all times. These eye-catching, spirited animals are highly intelligent and have great potential, but they also are usually very willful, stubborn, born leaders who seek to control you, other animals, and their environment. They want to rule the roost!

You cannot give them an inch . . . or they will take it, and take it, and take it . . . over and over, time and again. These dogs are persistent!

For example, one friend had an Old English Sheepdog puppy, an Alpha Female about eight months old, who had a very bad reaction to a toxic flea dip back in 1976. As the puppy started to tremor, the frightened owners lifted their darling onto the foot of the bed, both for her comfort and to ease their own backs as they nursed her.

MISTAKE! That one incident led that puppy and her litter-mate to sneak onto the bed whenever possible . . . a pattern the owners never succeeded in terminating for the rest of the dogs’ lives!

Too many owners just coddle the two-and-three month old “babies” and think that puppy training can start later. NO! The intelligent, spirited ones, especially, must be “trained” from day one with consistency, with You clearly as the Master!

Because of their high intelligence, they are ready much earlier than others for more formal types of training, too. Training helps remove boredom and release energy, while giving the prideful animal a proper goal for which to strive, and achievement about which to strut with regal, dignified, proud bearing and the clear satisfaction of pleasing.

DON’T MOVE WITH THEM, YOU LOSE THEM!

I, too, have had a trying personal experience with an aggressive Alpha Pup. I brought home a beautiful Rescued Dog, an eight-week-old retriever puppy from the Humane Society. She turned out to be the most willful and stubborn dog I have ever seen, striving for dominance in all things! There is no way she would have lasted in a “normal” home. However, because of my sheer determination with consistent, proper training, she is becoming a loving, playful, and obedient sweetheart who, without loss of any spunk or pride, nevertheless submits to my command by a mere glance. I am her undisputed Pack Leader.

Still, it wasn’t easy to get her to that state. In great frustration, I eagerly sought the advice of two other trainers with vast puppy experience. So I say to beleaguered Owners of aggressive, dominant puppies and dogs, “Don’t be embarrassed. This can happen to anyone! Never be ashamed to ask for help from a Dog Trainer.” (Just make sure they really understand pack psychology.)

If you have a dog dominance problem, there IS a specific training technique that will work for you, and it centers on FOCUS. It applies the communication system of “silence, submission, and leadership” and is a dog training technique which is effective with most dog dominance issues. [It’s much more effective and pleasant than hitting and yelling!]

So get help with control of the dog dominance behavior, and restore a right relationship with your pet, and peace and harmony in your home!

PawPersuasion © Copyright 2006. This article may be freely distributed if Rena Murray’s author resource box and this notice stay attached.