Marc Goldberg, CDT asked:


Guarding is an instinctual behavior for dogs. It is useful to us when they warn strangers who intrude on their (and our) territory. One of the earliest benefits dog provided to man was to serve as an early warning intruder alert system.

Territoriality is, simply stated, guarding space. It is the dog’s way of saying “this space has value and it belongs to me and my pack.” In fact, dogs guard all sorts of things, some tangible, such as food, others intangible such as space.

When they guard these items from outsiders it can be helpful. I leave my home knowing my dog will be alert to an inappropriate intrusion. Dogs also guard tangibles and intangibles from one another. You shouldn’t expect to see a ********** dog take a bone or scrap from the alpha or dominant dog. Should he try, he’ll face a swift correction. But that’s rarely necessary because in the structure of the dog pack, it is clearly understood who is entitled to what and when.

But what happens when that clear understanding is lacking between a dog and members of his human pack? The results can be a disaster…a dog who guards something against his very owners.

In this article we’ll concentrate on space guarding behaviors. In the dog pack, if the dominant dog wants to walk from point A to point B, he will do it even if he has to nudge a lesser dog out of his way. If the more ********** dog protests, what he is actually doing is challenging the authority of his leader by trying to guard the space he occupies.

The same event may transpire in our homes. Your dog helps himself to a place on the sofa. You either sit down next to him, or try to take his collar to pull him off. Your own dog growls or snaps at you. He’s guarding space. Moreover, he’s stating in dog language that he believes he is dominant to you.

You need to open a cabinet and the dog is blocking your way. You take his collar to move him, and he growls or bites. The same thing may occur when you want to push the dog out a door, pass him in a narrow hallway, or get too close to him laying in his favorite spot.

In many households, the human occupants do not realize that their dog is guarding space until the dog becomes completely out of control. In fact, we excuse the behavior. That’s because too often people apply human standards to canine behavior. Among our species it is impolite to pull someone out of a chair or shoulder them aside when you need something. So if the dog growls when you sit by him on the couch, many people wrongly think the dog is just being grumpy, or that he was too comfortable to be disturbed.

I have actually seen adults chastise children for being “impolite” to a dog for sitting next to him on furniture, or for wanting to remove the dog from their place. People subconsciously try to accept these problems as “quirks” of the dog. Many owners try to just work around the issue by not disturbing the dog under whatever circumstance causes the dog to guard.

Unfortunately, this sends precisely the wrong message to the dog. Humoring him confirms that he is dominant, and is, therefore, entitled to guard more and more space. That’s why guarding behavior escalates for many dogs. Often, I hear from owners who’s dog began to growl at them under very limited conditions, say when being pulled off the sofa. But eventually the behavior escalates to the point where the dog growls when they even get near him on the sofa.

The owner thinks the dog is getting worse. The dog simply thinks he’s getting stronger. For some dogs, dominance is a self-rewarding behavior. You want to remove him from the couch. He growls. You back off. The behavior works. So eventually he growls when you even look at him on the couch. “They just don’t seem to get it,” the dog is thinking. “I’ll have to warn them earlier.”

This can become very problematic for some pet owners, particularly those with young children in the house. Kids often don’t realize that they’re not “supposed to bother the dog.” They just figure they have liberty to safely toddle wherever their little legs will take them. And if you ask me, they should have that right.

Older children must be taught to respect dogs. And younger children must be observed very carefully when they interact with a dog, to be sure they do not accidentally pinch him for example. But no one can expect a two year old child to understand she should avoid Rover when he’s laying on the sofa.

Willy is a three year old German Short Hair Pointer. His owner, Lisa, called me very concerned. Willy had been growling at her baby every time the child approached him in his dog bed. Sometimes Willy would climb on the couch, and he would also growl at the baby on those occasions. Apparently this behavior had been going on for over a month. And just recently, the dog had growled at Lisa when she sat near him on the couch. Lisa was very confused because this entire set of behaviors was only about a month old, but it was getting worse fast.

“Did your baby start walking about a month ago?” I asked her. The answer was yes. That made it all clear to me. Willy always felt Lisa was dominant to him. So he never growled at her before. But when the baby started walking, this impudent little human would intrude on his space, and Willy did believe himself dominant to the baby.

Not understanding the behavior, Lisa had spent an entire month showing Willy how dominant he was by not correcting him and not letting the baby disturb him when he was comfortable. The unintended message to Willy was that he was more dominant than he had originally thought. That’s why he began to guard space from Lisa too.

While not all dogs progress from growling to snapping, or from air snapping to contact biting, that does happen with some dogs. And it’s tragic because it usually doesn’t need to reach that point. Left untreated, most dogs who effectively guard space will eventually scare or hurt their owners enough to be removed from their homes, or be put down.

Willy became a client of the Chicagoland Boarding School for Dogs. In the time he spent with us, we used our Forcefree Method to show him that space was not a resource he should guard from his human family.

We taught Willy a series of exercises using a vibrating training collar delivering a series of low level taps. The vibration, while not at all painful, was attention getting. (Before we put the collar on Willy, we let Lisa feel the the collar on her hand so she understood they were not painful. Lisa described the feeling as a mild tickle.) During the initial phase of training, our goal was to teach Willy that when he felt the taps, he could stop them by altering a behavior.

We started out with leash pulling, showing him that pulling on a tight leash turned on the tapping sensation, and that walking nicely on a loose leash turned them off. Then we went to the sit stay. We showed Willy that getting up when he was supposed to be sitting turned on taps that he could turn off instantly by re-sitting himself.

The reason we didn’t go right to the space guarding issue was simple. We didn’t want to overwhelm the dog by immediately training for the most difficult behavior first. Also the guarding behaviors are very specific to the family. They might be tough to reproduce without his sofa, his baby, and his owner.

But once Willy understood that he could stop collar taps by altering a behavior, we were ready to confront the real issue, the guarding of space. By this point in the training, we had established a bond of trust and affection with Willy. That was critical because now we were teaching him to yield his personal space to us under the pressure of the taps.

In short, by sometimes invading Willy’s personal space, while tapping, we showed him that he could turn off the tapping, as usual, by giving us a desired behavior…in this case, moving out of the way. Starting on leash, we held the dog close to our body, literally turning into him, and tapped as we moved through his space. Using a combination of leash pressure and body movement, we moved Willy out of the way. The second he began to yield his space, the taps stopped.

Willy began to understand very quickly. Space wasn’t worth guarding anymore. In fact, each time we asked him to give up space, he became very willing to do so at once. After all, as far as he knew, any space we asked him for became slightly annoying anyway.

We brought this dog home at the conclusion of our ten day program, reoriented him to his family and his environment, transferred the behavior modification techniques to his owner over the course of two hours. Then we left.

Lisa called two days later. She reported that Willy was leaving his dog bed as soon as the baby approached. We were happy with this report, but Lisa was concerned. She wanted the dog and the baby to be friends and she was worried that the dog was now “fleeing” from the baby.

We explained that this was progress given that the dog had modified a major behavior and was now yielding space, rather than guarding it. We advised her to give it some more time to see if the dog would eventually find pleasure in sharing space, time and bonding with the baby in his new ********** role. We did warn Lisa that not all dogs bond with all people, but that it was still a distinct possibility.

Two weeks later Lisa called again, and she was very happy. She found Willy and the baby curled up together in the dog’s bed. Apparently, Willy had calmed down enough to realize that while he was no longer able to guard space, there was a wonderful pleasure in sharing it.

Trust is something that grows over time, and with experience. Every day that passes as Willy continues to show the right reaction is one more day in which the trust between he and his family grows. Willy has been home for several months now, and all the reports are good news.

Here is a dog who was at severe risk for re-homing and possibly might have injured a child, curled up in bed with his little master.



BROOKS

Kayye Nynne asked:


The Siberian Husky belongs to the so-called Spitz Group of dogs and has variously been known at one time or another under the following names:

• Artic Husky Dog

• Siberian Chukchi

• Chukchi Sled Dog

• Chukchi or Chuchi

The Siberian Husky developed as a purebred dog breed through its isolated existence with the native people known as the Chukchi that existed in the extreme north-eastern region of Siberia around Yakutsk located north of Stanovoi Mountains. Some legends in fact narrate how the word husky arose as a corruption in the pronunciation of the word “Chukchi” by European migrants to the region.

Some dog authorities are of the opinion that the Siberian Husky had developed as a purebred dog breed as far back as 3000 years ago through its isolated existence with the Chukchi. Unquestionably there is Northern Wolf blood in the Siberian Husky dog breed mix and for centuries from generation through generation it was customary for the Chukchi people to only breed the very best of lead dogs while neutering the rest to eliminate the reproduction of undesired traits. In this manner the Chukchi not only vastly improved the genetic lineage of the Siberian Husky dog breed but also consolidated its genetic purity as a thoroughbred dog breed.Husky Dogs

When the Siberian Husky dogs of the village were not working there were cared for by the women of the tribe which meant that the dogs had to be in close proximity with them and their children. Thus another trait which the Chukchi people bred for in their husky dogs was a sound and balanced temperament, since naturally they would not want aggressive and ill-tempered dogs hanging around their children. Ironically enough it was this pleasant nature and temperament of character that moved many people to dismiss the Siberian Husky as an insignificant sled-racing dog contender; that is until the Siberian Husky “got on the ice and started performing!”

Siberian Husky Dog Racing History

As earlier pointed out the Chukchi people of Siberia had bred the Siberian Husky dog to the pinnacle of work performance on the snow and for excellence of temperament. In essence they bred a superb sled dog perfected to carry light loads such as hunted game for extensive distances at remarkable speeds. The Chukchi’s unschooled dog breeding program was so successful that in effect they had bred the ultimate sled-pulling dog.

By the end of the 19th century news of these amazing sled dogs filtered to North America and in 1909 a team of imported Siberian Husky dogs debuted in a major sled race in Alaska. Although the Siberian Husky was dismissed by many as being far too small and docile to match competitively against their bigger and more powerful counterparts (the Alaskan Malamute and the Eskimo Dog both of which average around 100 lbs in weight as compared to the Siberian Husky dog’s relative featherweight of 60 pounds), as soon as the Husky started racing it quashed all doubt. Put simply, the Siberian Husky created quite the sensation by outperforming all the other dog breeds in the race.

One racer present was so impressed by the relatively “miniscule” Siberian Husky dogs’ performance he imported 70 of them to prepare and ready for the next race in 1910. He wasn’t disappointed. In 1910 his three dog teams comprised of Siberian Huskies dogs placed 1st, 2nd and 4th in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race, which covered a distance of 408 miles between the towns of Nome and Candle. The stage was set and from then onwards the Siberian Husky was recognized far and wide as the ultimate sled-racing dog.



Siberian Husky Dog:  Perfection of Form to Function

Once it made its stunning debut in the All-Alaska Sweepstakes Race, the Siberian Husky dog breed literally became an overnight sensation in sled dog-racing circles. Even so its phenomenal success baffled both spectator and racer alike. How could such a comparatively lightweight and small sled dog drastically outperform and outrace the bigger dog breeds such as the Alaskan Malamute and Eskimo dog; both of which were more powerful and boasted a longer stride.

The secret to the husky dog’s superior sled-racing skills lay in its inherent form that was beautifully adapted for speed sled pulling. At a maximum weight of sixty pounds, the Siberian Husky dog had attained the ideal pull- weight ratio for sled racing. An excess of 60 pounds in weight would result in a proportionally decreased surface area for heat loss or conversely a disproportionate increase in heat storage. Dogs are notoriously inefficient at losing heat, most especially big dogs, and such an issue would constitute a very big problem in long distance races such as those like the four-day 25 mile marathon race that sled dogs have to endure.

In short, selective centuries of breeding by the Chukchi people of particular dogs with their most desired traits for loaded-sled pulling on slippery surfaces at high speed resulted in a dog breed perfectly formed and designed for just such a pursuit. The Siberian Husky was that dog, the perfect balance of weight to optimal sled-pulling ratio at high and sustained speed.

Siberian Husky Makes Its Mark In History

In the winter of 1925 a very serious diphtheria endemic struck the city of Nome in Alaska. Being deep winter the only routes accessible at the time were dog trails that spanned across hundreds of miles of snowy plains. In an unprecedented feat of speed and endurance a number of teams of Siberian Husky dogs led by legendary Norwegian Champion Dog driver Leonhard Seppala streaked across 340 miles of unforgiving snow and harsh winter in a race against time to save the city. In what came to be known in history as the fabled “ Serum Run” Seppala and his team of Siberian Husky dogs saved the city of Nome!

Following their amazing rescue mission Leonhard Seppala and a team of huskies went on a tour across the United States forever cementing this dog breed in the hearts and minds of the American public. In Commemoration of the “Serum Run” to this day a statue of one of those heroic Siberian Husky dogs resides in New York’s Central Park. Later thanks to the significant role that the Siberian Husky dog played in military search & rescue operations in the Artic during World war II as well as Seppala’s State-wide tour people’s admiration for this dog breed was further consolidated. The Siberian Husky was officially recognized by the AKC in 1930.

Find Out More About The Dog



EDDY

Kayye Nynne asked:


Imagine that every time you attempt to talk to your best friend their response is one of harsh scolding words. Now picture this happening not once, twice or thrice but almost every single day. I’m betting soon there won’t be much of anything to call as friendship left! I’ll even go out on a limb here and hazard a guess that soon the two of you won’t be talking altogether. Perhaps you’d withdraw into some kinda shell or maybe the bombardment of negativity and criticism would drive you to lash out in anger one day.

Okay, now let’s picture this scenario a little bit differently in that you happen to be a dog and that supposed best friend of yours is your owner.  That makes it a tad more complicated doesn’t it, especially if your owner is not trying to be intentionally cruel or harsh but simply doesn’t understand how to communicate properly with you!

Okay revert back to your human form for now. Have you ever tried communicating with someone who doesn’t speak the same language as you? It isn’t easy is it! There’s a whole lot of arm waving, gesticulating, self-conscious grinning and ****** contortions, much of which isn’t actually helping you to understand one another any better…and we are talking about communication between individuals from the same species here! That pretty much puts into perspective the monumental wall standing between you and your dog communicating efficiently with one another.

The very real problem here is that you don’t talk dogspeak and neither does your dog speak any human language but that doesn’t mean that you can’t learn how to communicate effectively with one another. And seeing as you happen to be the more intelligent species in this particular partnership, the onus is on you to create that better environment of communication. However unfortunately far too often this is not the case, more often than not it being the dog owner representing the party that gets irritated and confrontational during sessions of communication. If and when a situation such as this continues for a long enough duration this in turn could make your dog to:

•    Become depressed and withdraw

•    Start avoiding you

•    Whimper and slink about whenever you’re in the vicinity

•    Become aggressive and unmanageable

Communication With Your Dog Starts With Understanding Your Dog



Like us humans, dogs have their own standard dog etiquette that incorporates accepted proper behavior and quite naturally in the same way that we expect them to respond in a desired manner to our communication so do they expect no less from us. But as pointed out previously, being that we are two very different species, notwithstanding the fact that we have co-existed side by side for thousands of years, the inescapable fact is that dogs and us speak entirely different languages!

Thus to forge a better relationship with your dog you need to have a better understanding of dog communicative signals other than the obvious ones that comprise dog language.

Dog Language

Dogs bark, growl, yelp, snarl, whine, howl, warble and sing as a means of communication between themselves and other species such as us. Dogs can tell pretty accurately from the tone and inflection of our voices what kind of mood and state of mind we are in, much in the same way that we can judge their intent from the type of vocalization they utter. However there is only so far such communication takes usand the plain fact of the matter is that so much of dog language exists in the form of unvocalized signals; something the average dog owner is utterly unaware of.

Generally speaking all dogs no matter where they come from (thanks to their common ancestral origins, the wolf) understand what another dog is saying. However some dogs are better adapted to unvocalized signals than others. For example dogs that have docked tails cannot communicate dog signals that incorporate tail action. Also color patterns do play a part in dog language communication, and dogs that have black outline eyes with tan spots above them are better able to communicate eye-related signals because of such contrast. Completely black dogs or white ones are at a disadvantage from this perspective, which may explain why black dogs use the licking signal more often than the ones using ****** expressions.

Common Unvocalized Dog Signals

Nose Licking:  Nose licking by dogs is one of the signals they use to show their discomfort or alternatively it used as a message to calm down other dogs or people in a situation in which the dog doing the licking evaluates as one that is too stressful.

Head Turning:  The motion of head turning could be a subtle swivel or a single swift movement; sometimes the head turning could be a prolonged side to side movement. Averting their heads is another manner in which dogs can defuse potentially explosive situations between themselves because by turning their heads away they are signaling non-threatening intentions in polite doggy speak.

Next time you are stooping over your dog look carefully to see if he or she turns their head away; if they do then they are evidently signaling to you that it makes them feel uncomfortable. If you pay special attention next time you’ll also notice that dogs rarely look directly at one another because it is considered impolite and rife with threat. When dogs are seated in group they generally avert their heads away from one another in keeping with polite dog etiquette (much like the way civilized persons make a point of not staring directly at the person opposite them in a subway car).

Eye Squinting:  Dogs narrow their eyes to express to the person or fellow canine to whom their gaze is directed that they have no ill intentions, and that there is no veiled threat implied from that gaze. Whenever a dog looks at another dog directly with no threatening intentions, the dog squints its eyes to make sure the other dog understands that no aggression is intended.

Dog Bowing:  Bowing represents a number of things in doggy language but most commonly it is an invitation to play. Dogs don’t only bow to other dogs they also bow to people and other animals. When a bowing dog also hops from foot to foot then unquestionably that is an invitation to play. Sometimes dogs also use bowing as a means  to calm or de-stress a situation.

Yawning:  A yawning dog does not reflect a tired dog; yawning happens to be yet another de-stressing signal in doggy language. This is one dog signal you can use quite effectively to calm your dog when it is anxious or agitated. These are just a few of the many unvocalized signals dog use to communicate with other dogs and us. You can easily use some of these dog signals to communicate with your furry best friend. However I wouldn’t recommend going around slobbering your tongue across your face; that may go down well in doggy world but I am not sure the same can be said in the real world!

Learn More About Dog Training



DUSTIN

David Beart asked:


There are an estimated 74.8 million pet dogs in the United States and many more around the world. Dog ownership is at an all-time high today. At no time in history have so many people shared their lives with dogs as companions.

People today also have many choices when it comes to what kind of dog they will choose as a pet. There are over 400 recognized breeds of dog in the world. They range from the tiny Chihuahua which originated in Mexico to the wide range of ancient breeds that came from southeast Asia, such as the Akita, the Chow Chow, the Pug, the Pekingese and the Tibetan breeds. They include the old spitz-type breeds such as the Malamute, the Siberian Husky and others; and the very old breeds of the middle east, such as the Saluki, the Afghan Hound, the Pharoah Hound, and the Greyhound.

In addition to all of the breeds of dogs in the world there are numerous Designer dogs being bred these dogs. Designer Dogs are intentional crosses of two purebred dogs. They may be bred for a special reason, such as to try to produce a low-shedding coat or more intelligence or trainability, or some other aspect of one of the parents. Or, in some cases, they are bred simply because they may produce cute puppies. Designer dogs have been in high demand in the last several years and can command enormous prices.

Besides these intentionally-bred dogs there are several million dogs in animal shelters each year looking for homes. Some of these dogs are strays, some are puppies from unplanned litters, and some are stray puppies and dogs imported from countries outside the United States for adoption here. Some of the dogs are young dogs that have been adopted once and returned because their owners didn’t know how to handle adolescent dog behavior.

All of this means that you have a huge range of choices when it comes to trying to decide what kind of dog you want. How do you even begin to narrow your choices?

The best thing to do when you consider what kind of dog to get is to consider your essential needs. Do you have allergies? Do you **** dog hair in the house? Do you want a dog that can go jogging with you? Do you live a quiet lifestyle? Do you live in an apartment or do you have land in the country? Do you have kids? Do you have time to spend on grooming a dog or will the dog go to a groomer? Do you want a low maintenance dog or do you enjoy fussing over a coat and grooming? Do you intend to train your dog to learn more than housetraining?

When you consider these questions and others like them you should try to be completely honest with yourself. You want to get a dog that will be a good fit for you personally. It’s a bad idea to get a dog because it’s the popular thing to do. Don’t adopt a shelter dog if you have allergies. Chances are that you will be allergic to the poor dog and have to return him. Instead you will need to identify the breeds of dogs that are usually better for allergy-sufferers. Even then you will need to meet some dogs on a one-on-one basis to see how you react to them.

Don’t let yourself be pressured into getting a dog that you don’t want. If you have always wanted a Greyhound don’t let somebody talk you into taking a Beagle-mix because the dog needs a home. There will always be dogs that need homes and you cannot save all of them. Chances are that you won’t be happy with a dog that you didn’t truly want. If you feel that you want to rescue a dog there may not be purebred dogs of certain breeds in animal shelters but there are often purebreds with purebred rescue groups. Greyhounds, for instance, have a very active rescue network. You could get the Greyhound that you always wanted and rescue a dog at the same time. You can find information about purebred breed rescue organizations online.

If you choose to get a purebred puppy or dog from a breeder make sure that you choose a reputable breeder. Reputable breeders do health screening on their dogs to make sure that they are good candidates for breeding. For many breeds this means that their hips are x-rayed for hip dysplasia. For some breeds their eyes may be checked and they receive a CERF certificate. Other breeds may have their hearing checked by BAER testing. The list goes on. Breeders in each breed take different precautions to make sure their dogs are healthy. You should do some homework about the breed so you know the potential health problems. That way you will know what to ask the breeder and what health testing should have been done.

Good breeders are willing to stand by the puppies and dogs they place. They should be willing to guarantee a puppy or dog’s genetic health. No dog will remain healthy forever. Dogs, like people, must all eventually die. But good breeders will make guarantees about the possible genetic problems in their breed and what they will do in the event that a dog of their breeding develops a problem. Will they replace a puppy? Will they refund money? Will they help pay costs to correct the problem? All of these things should be spelled out in the contract you have with a good breeder. Buying from a good breeder is, however, a two-way street. The breeder will also expect many things of you regarding the proper care of “their” puppy. Don’t be surprised when they put you through a gamut of questions about your fitness to own one of their dogs.

Adopting a dog from an animal shelter is often not as easy as it once was. Whereas you could once walk into a shelter, point to a dog and take it home, in many shelters things are a little more complicated nowadays. Some shelters require a lot more information about people adopting dogs now. Dogs (and cats) are often evaluated for temperament. Shelters try to match people with dogs that have temperaments that will suit people interested in adopting them. They hope that this will cut down on the number of dogs that are returned to the shelter. Fees for adopting dogs are also higher than they once were since shelters try to cover the cost of shots and spaying/neutering. The costs of adopting dogs through rescue groups are usually even higher. Rescue groups justify these costs by saying that they may not spend a lot of money on one particular dog but they may have a case where a dog has heartworms and they have to spend a lot of money on that one dog. So, they spread the costs to everyone who adopts.

There are countless wonderful dogs available, whichever route you decide to take. You can get a great dog at your local animal shelter or you may find your dream dog by searching for a reputable breeder. The important thing to remember is to identify the key points about your own lifestyle that you will be sharing with your dog. Focus on finding a dog that fits the way you live. Do what’s best for you and you will find the right canine companion.



FRANK

Sandra Stammberger asked:


Dog breeding is a delicate process of mating two specimens from a similar breed to be able to develop offspring of the same, distinct and consistent qualities, which often include behavior and general characteristics.

Dog breeding is said to be a combination of art and science. A quality dog breeder must have knowledge both on the genetics of the specimens he breeds and the over-all health of his dogs. At any rate, he must have an in-depth knowledge of the breeding standards, which agree with the conditions for which each type of dog must be bred.

However, not all breeders conform to the set standards. Usually, they are those who are after the profit alone, with little concern on the over-all welfare of the dogs. These type of breeders are classified into two:

· Backyard breeders- small scale breeders, which conduct ignorant breeding practices. · Puppy farms or puppy mills- are the big businesses, which operate in the same manner.

But size and motive alone are not really the substantial basis for quality breeding programs for there are those excellent dog breeders who run their own businesses at their barns, homes and backyards. And there are large businesses that have knowledgeable and efficient staffs of dog breeders with expertise on veterinary care.

According to some resources, one may identify a quality dog breeder through his program of breeding and his attitude towards breeding dogs. The following is complied to provide the standards of a quality dog breeder:

· An efficient dog breeder must sell directly to the pet owner or the buyer and not through pet shops and the likes. · He must be able to show you the mother of the litter. · A quality dog breeder breeds only from the best dogs, meaning the dogs have the exemplary characteristics both in performance and temperance. · A dog breeder must be able to provide you with the certifications of the dog and x-ray, clearing the dog from dysplasia or hip crippling. If in case he was not able to provide you with these documents, then he must be able to tell you the reasons behind. · A reputable dog breeder must at all times sell pet puppies under the contact of prohibiting the use of puppies for further breeding. · A responsible dog breeder must be able to provide you with written materials concerning the developments and the essential needs of the puppy. · A good dog breeder must be a member of a registered club or and he must observe obedience to the code of ethics of the institution. · He must exercise responsibility over the well being of the dog he breeds.

The future of dog breeding Cloning is now being exercised in dog breeding. Actually, the first cloned dog is named Snuppy. This aims to reproduce a genetic twin of a dog, having the same characteristics and properties. However, this practice is still expensive but research points out that it is achievable in the future. This eliminates the waiting period for buyers and may even customize the ability and performance of the dog breed. Meaning, they can replicate a dog champion and produce a new one on demand, which carries all the characteristics of the said dog.

Popular dog breeds According to the American Kennel Club, the following are 2004’s most popular dog breeds listed from first to last: · Labrador Retriever Breed · Golden Retriever Breed · German Shepherd Breed · Beagle Breed · Yorkshire Terrier Breed · Dachshund Breed · Boxer Breed · Poodle Breed · Shih Tzu Breed · Chihuahua Breed

4. Dog Training: The Process of Making Your Dog Civilized

Dog training is correlative with educating dogs. This is done to adopt them with the social demands expected from them. Like for instance, they are expected to behave in the manner that man thinks is proper. However, some of which may be against their nature of behavior.

In effect, dog training was created because man acknowledged that certain dog behaviors may only manifest on specific conditions. An example of which is the dog behavior wherein they will only repeat the action if an affirmative reaction was attained on the trainer’s part. Conversely, if they were punished for such behavior, chances are that they will not repeat the same conduct. This principle is then combined with proper training methods to encourage the repetition of the desirable behavior.

Interestingly, dog training is at its prime if the dog is still aged six to eight weeks old. This stage is said to be the most ideal juncture for dog training. The theory in here is that puppies are not yet accustomed to reacting to its environment, this way you may still control the over-all behavior of your dog. Yet, this does not negate the fact that more matured dogs are non-trainable. In actuality, they are but as with many other animal species, it is more difficult to train them at this period.

Undergoing your pet to a regimen of dog training will recondition his system for eliminating misconduct and repeating desirable behaviors. In addition, this may also become a preparation to diminishing the future dog behavior problems. House breaking is often an issue. This typically concerns dog bhavior problems on elimination of waste like ********** and *********. Also, there are natural behaviors which may become a problem if the dog is not properly trained, examples of which are scenting of territories and ground digging.

Dog training is easiest when you successfully structured a specific environment wherein your dog will react in well-defined, affirmative ways. It is important that this environment is consistent to further guide the puppy into following specific orders. Also, this will prevent the confusion, thus quicker and more productive dog training. For example, if you are consistent in rewarding your dog every time he achieves a desirable reaction to a specific command, then he will be able to identify his affirmative response with a treat. But if in case you missed for several times in giving him his reward, chances are he would hesitate following the orders.

In the whole process of dog training with your puppies, it is essential that you recognize the limitations of your pets. He does not have the endurance that most adult dogs posses. Allow him to rest at intervals to rejuvenate his used up energy, then proceed with the training. Also, it is possible that if the puppy gets tired with training, he may altogether lose interest in the routines. In addition to this, it is recommended that only mild methods must be employed for harsh training may distract the puppy’s learning and may destroy his confidence level.

There are certain institutions offering dog training, these are often termed as dog schools or dog academies. They train your dog for proper behaviors and they train you to train your dog. They may hone your dog’s skills using different training methods developed specifically for dog training while developing in you the fundamentals and techniques to serve as good foundation for you do it yourself dog training.



BYRON

Dee Gerrish asked:


ef=”http://www.msplinks.com/MDFodHRwOi8vZ29sZGVuZG9vZGxld29ybGQuYmxvZ3Nwb3QuY29tLzIwMDkvMDMvZ29sZGVuZG9vZGxlLWFuZC1vdGhlci1kb2ctZmFjdHMuaHRtbA==”>Goldendoodle and other dog facts

 



When it comes to Goldendoodles, they are a dog that is now the most loved, adored and also the most misunderstood canine of all. For instance, did you know that there are 701 pure breed dogs and that the Border collie, Poodle and Golden retriever are claimed to be the smartest of dogs? I do not know why just these three breeds were listed because I am sure there are other smart breeds of dogs out there and the person behind the poll definitly didn’t include the Goldendoodle! Fact 1: The Goldendoodle dog is highly intelligent.

Goldendoodle dogs also have a superior sense of hearing and smell, but of course when it comes to documented evidence, the bloodhound is so trustworthy that it is the only dog whose evidence is admissible even in court of law in the United States! There are alot of Goldendoodle as well as other dog facts are very interesting. For instance, it is claimed that the Great Dane is the tallest of all dogs, while the Chihuahua is the smallest dog of all. But are they really? As a breeder of Goldendoodles since 1999, I know for a fact that one Goldendoodle we created some years ago turned into a 150 pound “small pony” ! And while it is claimed that the Chihuahua is the smallest dog, we own a tcup sized LhasaPoo (a different type of hybrid dog) who weighs three pounds or less and I’ve heard of some tcup Yorkies as well as Tcup Poodles weighing even less!

Goldendoodle dogs are usually very attached to their families. Some are even heroically so. Goldendoodles can even take care of their invalid or handicapped family members on a daily basis, if properly trained. Over the years, we’ve had some of our past customers train their Goldendoodle dogs as therapy dogs or assist dogs. Many rescue organizations and policing organizations use Golden Retrievers as well as other types of dogs as a part of their regular team. Some Golden Retrievers are used as narcotic dogs. While it is doubtful that a Goldendoodle can be used as a guard dog, I see no reason why they could not be trained as hunters, draught animals, drug and explosive detectors, and even as a dog who seeks out weapons.

In the Middle Ages, dogs wore spiky light armors and ran into the battle grounds to attack mounted knights. The Rottweiler was one such breed used in medieval battles. The German Shepherd dog has been used in the field with every day soldiers for many centuries. There are many fun facts regarding all dog types, but the Goldendoodle dog has not been around long enough to have a lot of facts written about them. The Goldendoodle dog was first known as a “Goldendoodle” sometime around 1997. This hybrid was first created by the Australians who were looking for a low shedding, low dander assist dog for those who had allergies. Goldendoodles in Australia are used for other purposes and make wonderful family pets for children of all ages. There are only three coat types for the Goldendoodle dog.

1. Shaggy.

2. Curly.

3. Smooth.

The Goldendoodle does not have any rare colors and actually can have markings anywhere on its body, of any color. The Goldendoodle dog also can have various eye colors such as brown, blue, green or multi colors. Since beginning our Goldendoodles in 1999, we have seen some Goldendoodles born with one green eye and one blue eyes or one brown eye and one blue eye. In 2010 we hope to create Duetche Kurzharr Doodles which is a German Shorthaired Pointer mixed with a Goldendoodle. Since we do have a sire with blue eyes and our German Shorthaired Pointer has lovely amber colored eyes and multiple freckles, we hope that we will see offspring coming out with not just lovely light colored eyes, but with spots and freckles. The German Shorthaired Pointer is extremely intelligent! Our own girl, Merry-Belle, is fascinated with squeeky toys and carries them all over the house. She loves to have someone hold a ball up in the air and anxiously awaits it to be tossed in her direction so that she can jump high up in the air to catch it.

Before purchasing any type of dog, you should attempt to learn all the important facts that pertain to the breed you wish to own. Many families make the mistake and hurry up to get a dog because their children have been insisting on having one. Many parents buckle under pressure. But the problem is, people who purchase a Goldendoodle under the assumption of knowing the facts, find out that the dog isn’t for them. Sure enough, after the dog arrives home and the initial excitement has quieted down, the chore of actually taking care of the dog and molding its character begins. This is when the honeymoon is over and when most families realize that their Goldendoodle is really a bundle of work, like all dogs!

Children find out that the dog can’t just let itself out to use the bathroom and many will gripe about having to constantly take their new dog out for bathroom breaks. Most of the chores of caring for a Goldendoodle or any dog for that matter usually falls to the parents after a few days. A puppy is cuddly and sweet until it poops or pees on the floor or has to be supervised at all times or when it howls and howls for attention from its human family. The Goldendoodle dog has become the most popular of hybrids because other dogs with long and short hair, shed profusely. Many people who buy a Goldendoodle are told by their breeder that the dog doesn’t EVER shed and that they are “hypoallergenic”. Imagine the family’s horror when they realize that indeed their Goldendoodle dog sheds and not only does it shed, but it needs constant, regular care! This is just one example of how some doodle breeders try and use the “non shedding”, “Hypoallergenic” key words to bring in a customer. An inexperienced breeder can lead someone to buy a Goldendoodle dog for the wrong reasons. Since 1999, we as breeders have watched the Goldendoodle hybrid go through 10-15 different coat changes. We know for a fact that the Goldendoodle dog does indeed shed. BUT, they shed like no other dog we’ve ever seen.

The Goldendoodle will lose a strand or two of hairs and not gobs of hair or clumps of hair. Unless your Goldendoodle has a hormonal imbalance, his or her coat is not going to just completely fall out. Unlike a dog with a double coat, the Goldendoodle dog has a single coat and sheds very, very little. As the Goldendoodle dog changes from a puppy to an adult, there will be coat changes and you may see its coat do the most shedding during this “growing up” phase. When the Goldendoodle dog turns a year of age, their owners will see the least shedding.

Goldendoodle facts become very important if you really want to understand your doodle. Knowing as much about your doodle dog will also help you with training. Some dogs are quick to learn, while others need more time. Regardless of breed, dogs are individuals and training needs to be specifically geared toward the individual dog itself and not by breed type or generalization. Just as human have their own unique way of responding to learning things, dogs are the same way. They are individuals just like we humans are. Most dogs respond well to rewards and praise, while a few breeds need firm commands and rigorous discipline. Goldendoodles do not learn well with negative training. Positive reinforcement works very well for getting your Goldendoodle to comply and respond to training commands. Some dogs like the Dalmatian, need a lot of exercise and are not very suitable to small living quarters, while others like the Poodle have a lot of grooming requirements. Shaggy and curly coat Goldendoodles have a high grooming requirement. All Goldendoodles, regardless of size, would do well indoors so long as he or she is taken for daily walks. Goldendoodles enjoy being where ever their human family members are. They are happy to run beside you if you are jogging or on your bicycle and they are just as happy to sleep at your feet if you are sitting down watching television. Goldendoodle dogs are snugglers. They usually are not independant dogs. They can become lonely if left for long periods of time without human companionship. Depending upon coat type, some Goldendoodles can tend to be barkers or high drive. It has been our own experience that the shaggy coat and smooth coat Goldendoodle has the best temperaments of all three coat types. The curly coat Goldendoodle can tend to pick up some of the quirkly traits of the Poodle. Those experienced with the Golden Retriever will want to stick with either the shaggy coat or the smooth coat Goldendoodle. Those experienced with the Poodle will want to stick with the curly coat Goldendoodle.

Many people believe that certain dogs inherit certain disorders like hip dysplasia and cataract based on breed type. Many people believe that some breeds are prone to getting fat if they are not exercised regularly. Genetic ailments can happen to any type of dog regardless of their breed and all dogs can become fat and lazy if they are over-fed and are lacking in exercise. Dogs who are inbred or backbred or come from a genetic bottle neck (lacking in a wide genetic gene pool) will be at a higher risk for having genetic ailments. Age also plays a direct role with health issues in dogs. It is not known why some dogs die from health issues and others can go through their entire lives not ever having a health issue. Just as people die from various types of health issues or just simply pass away in their sleep, dogs are very similar in this way. Goldendoodles who come from a first generation breeding seem to be the hardiest of dogs. Goldendoodles can be a long lived dog under ideal circumstances just as the Poodle is the longest lived dog of all dogs.

One of the most important dog facts most overlooked by many is that every purebred has been originally created with a particular purpose in mind. While the Lhasa Apso was originally created as a palace guard dog, the Poodle was used for multiple purposes such as retrieving, swimming and just being a companion. The German Shorthaired Pointer makes a wonderful gun dog and many Rottweilers and German Shepherds or Doberman Pinschers make excellent guard dogs. Depending upon the history and lineage of your Goldendoodle, he or she may have a wonderful compilation of traits that would be suited for multiple tasks or would simply just make a wonderful house pet.

If you expect a breed of dog to completely forfeit its inherent tendencies and don a new mantle, you are asking for trouble. Never expect a Goldendoodle to guard you or your possessions and don’t be surprised if your Pit Bull bristles with anger and ultimately attacks a stranger. Some traits are deeply rooted and instilled in particular breed types. With our own Goldendoodles, we do know that their lineage holds multiple companion dogs, Utility dogs, show dogs, Master Hunters as well as having a deeply rooted love for playing in the water. Training your Goldendoodle or entering them into obedience classes can help you to bring some discipline to your doodle as well as even enhance their natural tendencies. Training does not replace them.

Anyone deciding to purchase a shaggy or curly coat Goldendoodle must also need to learn basics in grooming unless you are going to have someone else groom the doodle. Being knowledgeable about the Goldendoodle will help you become a better doodle owner. Goldendoodles can participate in fun competition dog trials, even fun dog shows. Their are other important dog facts which also include a need to know such information like neutering, spaying, vaccinating and de-worming your doodle at regular intervals. You will want to have your vet place your Goldendoodle on a vaccination and deworming schedule and let your vet get to know your dog. It is also very important to know that owning a Goldendoodle as with any other type of dog can be expensive. Know before you buy, that you can afford the upkeep that your doodle will require.

In a nutshell, knowing your doodle facts will help you, the new doodle owner, to truly appreciate your Goldendoodle’s uniqueness and will allow your doodle to happily spend its entire life with you.

**Author/breeder: Dee Gerrish @2009.

**About the Author: Dee Gerrish as been a private, professional hobby breeder since 1996. Dee Gerrish has written extensively about the Goldendoodle dog since 1999. Visit her site at http://www.goldendoodleworld.com/

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CORDELL

Kayye Nynne asked:


The Field Spaniel dog differs from its better known cousin the Cocker spaniel in being longer in body and somewhat larger in size. The history of this dog breed can perhaps be described as a see-saw adventure constantly skirting the edge of disaster. The Field Spaniel breed was originally developed in 1800s as a bird-flushing and retrieving hunting dog that, with its added height and bone structure, was supposed to supersede the other existing spaniels and be an all-rounder field dog; hence the nondescript name.

This dog breed was developed from crossings between the English Cocker Spaniel, the Sussex Spaniel and the English Water Spaniel. Since the objective was to breed a dog with greater height and mass only those dogs that attained 25 pounds in weight and exceeded 15.5 inches in height were utilized in the development program.

Soon the Field Spaniel development program was declared a success and the new dog breed lived up to expectations. The Filed Spaniel was a capable and worthy gundog, beautifully adept at bird flushing and retrieving. But the success was short-lived before disaster struck and came to roost in the form of a pedigree award enabling the Field Spaniel to perform in dog shows and exhibits.

With a zeal and passion that is little seen outside a shark feeding-frenzy fest, dog show fanciers took it upon themselves to “improve” the Field Spaniel dog breed. In what can best be described as an excess of extremism (thankfully little seen today) those show-bench fanciers genetically stretched and shrunk the Field Spaniel as if for all the world they were designing some hybrid low-slung sports car! The results unsurprisingly were a disaster.

The Field Spaniel Dog Transforms From Beauty Into Beast

The Field Spaniel almost within the blink of an eye had transformed into an elegant and beautifully proportioned dog into a sagging, ungainly, stubby and cumbersome creature. So bad did the Field Spaniel dog breed appear after the show fanciers had their day that one critic was moved to opine that the only hope of survival that the breed had was to sprout a third pair of legs to support its sagging hammock-like mid-belly!

By the early 1900s the fate of the Field Spaniel was sealed. It was quite evident that the “new improved” Field Spaniel dog breed was anything but and what was equally obvious was that its days as a sporting gundog were over. But that wasn’t all that was over for this once fine dog breed; now even its days as a show dog were numbered. And as if the news wasn’t already bad enough, what was readily becoming apparent was the fact that the Field Spaniel was in very real danger of becoming just another vanished dog breed.

Everybody but the most recalcitrant and obtuse of show-bench fanciers had to concede the so-called improved strain of the Field Spaniel looked ridiculous. Any elegance and grace the dog once had was long lost and superseded by an ungainly cumbersome dog. The disaffection of the Field Spaniel quickly spread to the public and what little traction in popularity up to that point that the breed had developed quickly dissipated.

In the aftermath of two world wars, by 1945 the Field Spaniel dog breed was quite literally on the precipice of extinction. Luckily however the breed was still beloved enough by many such that by the late 1950s a concerted effort was underway to restore and resurrect the Field Spaniel to its former glory. In order to achieve that end the Field Spaniel was crossed back to the English Cocker Spaniel and English Springer Spaniel dog breeds. Soon enough the breeders were met with success and today the modern Field Spaniel is once again a thoroughly capable field dog that also exudes the regal elegance and grace it originally did.

Four individual Field Spaniels, tracing back to the 1950s have been most credited with restoring this dog breed to its former glory. Those four dogs were called: Ronayne Regal, Gormac Teal, Colombina Teffont and Elmbury Morwena. Despite the resurrection of the Field Spaniel from almost certain extinction to this very day the dog breed is a rarity in America.

Field Spaniel Dog Temperament

The Field Spaniel dog is often described as the sweetest and most docile of the spaniels and in spite of its independent nature makes for an extremely affectionate and warm animal. This dog breed is great with kids and more than adequately satisfies any child’s appetite for play. The Field Spaniel gets along well with other pets and co-exists equally well with other dogs. This dog is quiet welcoming of strangers and hence does not make for a good protection dog.

Field Spaniel Dog Upkeep

This is a lively and energetic dog breed so it needs moderate amounts of exercise on a daily basis. Although ideally it should have the chance to stretch its legs and run flat out, seeing as that is not always possible, its exercise requirements can be met with along walk on the leash. Although the Field Spaniel does best as an indoors pet and should not be deprived of human contact, the optimal situation would be one where the dog can divide its time between house and yard.

Grooming: The coat of the Field Spaniel dog needs to be brushed or combed at least twice a week and it may be necessary to clip the hair inside its ears and between its footpads. It is probably good practice to check and clean the dogs ears on a regular basis.

Field Spaniel Dog Characteristics

Height: 16 - 19 inches (41 - 48 cm)

Weight: 35 - 50 lbs ( 16 - 23 kg)

Coat Colors: Golden liver, black, liver. The dog may exhibit solid colors or can be bicolored. White is okay across the chest, throat or brisket.

HEALTH & LIFESPAN

Lifespan: 12 - 14 years

Major Health Issues: CHD

Minor health Issues: Otitis Externa; hypothyroidism; Rarely the breed may also suffer from: Heart Murmurs; Patella Luxation and Seizures.

Recommended Tests: Eye; Hip; Elbow; Heart; Thyroid and Patella.

More About The Dog



ALEX

Lizzie Novotny asked:


Hunting Dogs working in the Field are usually in Top Physical Form

Despite their athletic nature, hunting dogs can be overweight dogs and can fall into a sedentary nature if not provided with enough exercise. Without an exercise program, these otherwise fit, energetic breeds can become lazy and inactive.

An estimated 40% of dogs are considered to be overweight or obese. The most common cause of overweight dogs is obvious, their caloric intake is greater than what is burned off in a day. Excess calories turn into fat, and over time this causes the dog to gain weight.

Hunting dogs fed a high calorie, protein dense food for athletic dogs are at particular risk for canine obesity, as their exercise level must be kept high in order to use up the calories that they are being fed. A dog being fed a high performance diet must adhere to strict exercise regimen, in order to prevent excessive weight gain. Fat dogs out hunting is not a pretty sight!

Veterinarians use a standardized Body Condition Score system to categorize overweight dogs. The scoring system runs from 1-9, with one being extremely thin, and 9 being morbidly obese.

As a general rule, the An ideal range for the body condition score for dogs is between a 4 and 5.

At a Body Condition Score (BCS) of 4 and 5, the dog should have ribs that can be easily felt under the skin, but not seen. The dogs should have a waist (a narrowing of their width behind the ribcage), as well as an abdomen that is tucked when seen from the side.

Dogs with a BCS of 6 and 7 are too heavy. Their ribs may be just barely felt under the skin.

Instead of a waist, they are flat from ribs to hindquarters. Overweight dogs in this category should have their exercise level increased, and caloric intake decreased. With a BCS of 8 or 9 they are considered morbidly obese or are commonly called fat dogs.

Their ribs cannot be felt over the skin, and have areas of fat deposits over their back, base of the tail, chest, neck or legs. Instead of a waist, they have an abdominal bulge and are wider in the abdomen than in the hips.

Their abdomens may appear distended and enlarged, and hang below the level of the ribcage. These dogs should be evaluated by a veterinarian for underlying health problems, as well as begin a weight reduction program under veterinary supervision.

Beware of Diabetes in dogs and other health ailments

Overweight dogs at this level are at risk for a variety of health problems: severe joint, muscle and ligament problems, as well as respiratory and cardiac complications. Diabetes in dogs is also a threat.

It is important to remember that just because your dog was bred for an athletic lifestyle, his energy level and fitness depend on you.

Keep your dog fit, healthy and not overweight. Dogs can then be assured good health and hopefully a long life.

Now for underweight dogs

Hunting dogs are athletes. But, sometimes you can have an underweight dog. Their excellent work ethic and eager-to-please spirit make them the ideal partner for a variety of athletic endeavors.

Like human athletes, the nutritional requirements for active dogs must be adjusted to meet their unique needs.

Due to their high activity levels and the strain placed on their body during hunts and trails, performance and hunting dogs require a superior level of nutrients and calories than the average house dog.

It is not uncommon for hunting dogs to be on the thin side, and often a healthy, athletic hunter, may seem like an underweight dog compared to the same dog kept as just a pet.

However, it is important to access your dog’s nutritional requirements, and balance them with the proper diet to ensure optimum health and best performance.

Veterinarians use a standardized Body Condition Score (BCS) system to evaluate the condition of a dogs overall health and ideal weight. The BCS scale is from 1-9, with 1 being malnourished and 9 being morbidly obese.

As a general rule, the “ideal” range for the body condition score for dogs is between a 4 and 5.

At this level, the dog should have ribs that can be easily felt under the skin, but not seen.

The dogs should have a waist (a narrowing of their width behind the ribcage), as well as an abdomen that is “tucked up” when seen from the side.

In highly active, performance dogs, a BCS of 3 may be considered a healthy weight. These dogs have a high percentage of lean body mass, with ribs that can be slightly seen under the skin, and obviously felt. The very tips of their spine or pelvis bones may be discernible, and they have a waist.

Dogs with a body condition score of a 1 to 2 are underweight, and their diets and or performance demands must be adjusted. In these dogs, their ribs, hip, pelvic and backbones can all be clearly seen, and a loss of muscle mass is evident.

Dogs with a body condition score of 3 or less should be evaluated for possible diet changes, to provide more balanced, high-calorie nutrition for the dog. In dogs that are well fed, but score persistently low on the BCS system, a veterinarian should be consulted to check for possible underlying medical problems, such as internal parasites that may be preventing the pet from absorbing the nutrients from his food.



CRAIG

Saleem Rana asked:


If you want your dog to live a long and happy life, there are certain things you should do to ensure he stays healthy. A dog does not need as much care as a small child or baby would, but it does need attention and regular care to keep it healthy. Some dogs need more care than others, but on the whole dogs are easy-going, loyal creatures that enjoy human company.

Your dog needs to have an identity tag and regular vaccinations. Check what your local laws require. The dog tag should be attached to the dog’s collar and have your name, address and contact phone number on it, in case your dog gets lost. Once you have brought your dog home, you will need to take it to the veterinarian for health check-ups and vaccinations on a regular basis.

You need to feed your dog regularly! Provide him with adequate fresh water every day and enough healthy food for his breed type. Investigate the amount and type of food required for your dog.

Grooming is important for dogs. You must bathe your dogs once a month and keep their coats brushed and free from ticks and fleas. A dog’s teeth are very important and care is required to keep them healthy. Your dog’s ears and eyes must also be cleaned often and watched for diseases. You may also need to clip your dog’s nails on a regular basis. You may not have the time to carry out these tasks or feel confident enough to do them. That’s okay, you can always hire a dog groomer to groom your dog for you.

A dog needs plenty of exercise, and generally the bigger the dog, the more exercise it will need. If you are not prepared to exercise your dog on a daily basis then perhaps you should think about getting another kind of pet. Not only is regular exercise good for your dog’s health, but it also gives him the opportunity to be with you. Dogs crave company and like to be with their pack as much as possible. Remember when you are walking your dog he should always be on a leash.

Unless you are a dog breeder, it’s a good idea to get your dog spayed or neutered. Not only will this stop unwanted puppies arriving, it will also give your dog a longer, healthier life.

You may want to take your dog to obedience class. This will enable you to socialize your dog and give you more time together. Dogs are loyal companions and want nothing more than to be with their owner.

Caring for your dog should not be a difficult task, but an enjoyable one for both you and your loving pet.

Here are a few necessary items you must have for your dog:

1. Food for your dog. If you are getting a puppy, make sure the food you have is appropriate for puppies. Talk to the pet store or veterinarian about the most appropriate food for your dog.

2. A leash for walking your dog. Once your dog is off your property, you should always have it on a leash.

3. A collar and ID tag. Your dog must always have its ID tag on its dog collar. The tag will contain information about your dog, such as its name, and how to contact the owner should your dog get lost.

4. Two dog bowls one for water and one for food. Make sure you clean these regularly.

5. Kennel. Your dog needs warm shelter to keep out of the weather so unless you are going to have an inside dog, you need to provide your dog with a place to sleep at night, such as a dog kennel.

6. Bedding for your dog to sleep in. These come in all sorts of shapes and sizes and can be bought from the pet store or you can make up a comfortable place with old blankets and cushions for your dog to sleep on. A crate is useful for puppies to sleep in.

7. Dog toys! Dogs love to chew things and chase balls. Make sure you have a few on hand for your dog to play with. Ensure you get ones that are the right size for your dog. You don’t want ones that are too small and can be swallowed by your dog.

8. A brush and other grooming implements, especially if you have a long haired dog. Long haired dogs need extra care to keep their coats looking healthy and neat. You may need to purchase different types of combs, for untangling knots and getting at the dog’s undercoat. Make sure you know what type of grooming tools your need for your breed of dog.

9. Nail clippers to keep your dog’s nails neat. There are special dog nail clippers available.

10. Dog shampoo for when you give your dog a bath.



BENNY

Kayye Nynne asked:


The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is a flock guardian dog breed that hails from Turkey. Like many other livestock guardian dog breeds the Anatolian Shepherd dog has been bred for thousands of years in its native country of Turkey. As a livestock protection dog the Anatolian Shepherd in the past would have had to protect its wards against formidable foes such as lions, wolves and bears. Thus by necessity the Anatolian Shepherd dog had to be large in size and fleet of foot in order to be able to patrol a large flock of sheep covering a sizable area especially when the alarm was sounded.

The precise origins of the Anatolian Shepherd dog are not properly known but it is believed that this large dog breed is descended from a cross mix of Roman mollosian war dogs, mastiffs and the indigent flock guardians that were native to Turkey. Since as far back as 7000 B.C. man has owned domestic animals thus flock guardians are some of the oldest of all dog breeds.



Anatolian Shepherd Dog Temperament

Like most flock guardian dog breeds the Anatolian Shepherd is a large and independent minded dog. In other words the Anatolian Shepherd is not the type of dog that will eagerly participate in frivolous pursuits such as playing fetch and indulging the whims of its human companions. If you try to engage the Anatolian Shepherd in such activities the dog is more likely than not to give you a look that says “you’re plain crazy” before relocating itself elsewhere.

Over the span of many thousand of years this dog has been selectively bred to accomplish one task and that is to protect livestock from all manner of predators be they large or small. For sure, the setting in which the Anatolian Shepherd Dog finds itself in the modern world may have changed and the flock it watches over today may be two-legged as opposed to four but the hardwiring innate to the dog remains the same!

The Anatolian Shepherd takes its duty as a protector and guardian very seriously no matter the nature of ward it is entrusted to look after. In fact it is not unusual for nursing female Anatolian Shepherd Dogs to suckle the lambs that they are entrusted to protect; that is the measure of how passionately these dogs bonds. So it should come as little surprise that these dogs get along well with children although the child may find it lacking as play mate since it is just not in the Anatolian’s nature to indulge in frivolous pursuits. This innate good nature of the Anatolian Shepherd is probably as a result of Turkish Shepherds dispassionately dispatching of any dog that showed untoward aggression towards either livestock or people.

However as with all dogs any interaction with children, especially small children, should be carefully monitored. Also be aware that though the Anatolian Shepherd dog may be very compliant and trustworthy around kids within the family the same may not apply for friends because as far as the dog is concerned they are not part of its flock. Keeping this distinction in mind is very important especially since the dog may not be able to differentiate between rough kid play and a real threat!

The Anatolian Shepherd is not recommended for the first time dog owner or for apartment life.

Form And Function Of The Anatolian Shepherd Dog

The Anatolian Shepherd falls within the category of the working group of dogs and as such is a dog of exceptional endurance and ability required of tough and rugged work. If the Anatolian Shepherd Dog were a vehicle it would be a serious off-roader SUV designed to tackle the toughest of terrain (think back to the old square-shaped Landrovers or today’s or yesterday’s Landcruiser) and not some pretentious wannabe SUV that is all athletic looks but no muscle! In other words any potential owner of the Anatolian Shepherd should make no mistake and understand this dog comes from ******** working stock and is not just a delightful oversized pet like the Great Dane.

The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is an independent thinker that was often expected to use its own powers of insight and initiative to guide and keep the flock of sheep safe. In fact it was not uncommon for the Anatolian Shepherd dogs to be left alone days on end tending to the livestock without any contact from the shepherd who’d return to the comfort of the village and only check in on the animals from time to time. During such sabbaticals the dogs would often take turns to watch the flock while others hunted for game. Such was this dog breeds loyalty that even when extremely hungry the dogs never attacked their wards.

Considering that wolves and stray dogs constituted a good portion of the predators that the Anatolian Shepherd had to keep at bay unsurprisingly the Anatolian Shepherd is not dog friendly. Thus it is extremely important that this large dog be timely and optimally socialized with other dogs and animals if “terminal accidents” are not to happen in the urban setting. Accidents that could result in a hefty fine for the dog’s owner and possibly resulting with the shepherd dog being put down.

The Anatolian Shepherd is most certainly a large dog breed but not in the sense of barrel-chested massive. The body form of the Anatolian Shepherd is athletic in type befitting a dog that has to be fast and versatile on its feet. In Turkey to this very day the best flock guardian dogs are expected to be excellent wrestlers and quite often competitive matches are held each year. In fact it is said that a capable dog can leap in the air at a full run and turn round and land on top of its target. In essence the body structure of the Anatolian Shepherd promotes power and grace in one perfectly designed package.

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Breed Controversy

In Turkey the Anatolian Shepherd finds itself in the unique but somewhat unenviable position of being a Turkish dog breed that happens not to be recognized in its very own country. In fact if you were to quiz the average Turkish person about their national dog the Anatolian Shepherd they probably respond with a “huh” and a blank stare! To this very day what began as an innocuous skirmish over a name has now escalated into a full scale war of words characterized by salvos of accusations ricocheting across west to east and vice-versa.

In all likelihood this ongoing exchange arose from the misinterpretation of the meaning of the phrase Coban Kopegi by western fanciers of the dog breed. Coban Kopegi is a Turkish word that in English translates as “shepherd’s dog.” Western admirers of the Turkish livestock guardians probably corrupted this term to mean “shepherd dog,” hence the name Anatolian Shepherd dog. However the misinterpretation of the phrase Coban Kopegi probably in and of itself wasn’t enough to have escalated this verbal onslaught to the point it eventually attained, what truly got the Turkish people’s ire was what to all intents and purposes looked like another country(s) usurping a good potion its canine heritage. However when is all said and done all sides love the Anatolian Shepherd dog so perhaps the best approach is to celebrate the dog, bury the hatchet and agree to disagree!

Anatolian Shepherd Dog Characteristics

HEIGHT:

Male: 29 inches and upwards



Female: 27 inches and upwards



WEIGHT:

Male: 110 – 150 lbs



Female: 80 – 120 lbs

COLOR: All colors are allowed although nowadays the fawn with black mask is the most prevalent.



HEALTH & LIFESPAN

Major Health Issues: CHD



Minor Health Issues: Entropion

Recommended Tests: Hip & Eye

Lifespan: 10 – 13 years

Other Health Issues: The Anatolian Shepherd Dog is extremely sensitive to barbiturate anesthesia and you should pass this information on to your vet if ever your dog requires surgery.

Learn more about the dog



BENJAMIN