The Management Consulting Group

Every month I am approached by dog owners of my breed who complain about how poorly behaved, how sickly, how untrainable, and generally my breed is and how deeply they resented spending money on this breed. I listen patiently, but time taught me not to defend ‘good’ breeders, or explain to the angry owners how their own ignorance cuased them to become victimized.

There are many myths that abound in the dog world. Unfortunately, each allows unscrupulous breeders to take advantage of eager, prospective, puppy buyers.

Here are some of the most common myths:

Registered dogs are good quality. Even puppy mills register their puppies and get the papers.

If the parents have papers, the puppy is a good one. Wrong. Actually, if the parent’s papers do not have a blue boarder, then the puppy’s parent is registered as “Not good enough for breeding.” In many cases, these breeders show the parent’s papers to prospective buyers, but explain that the litter is not registered in an attempt to save money. This is a lie. They didn’t register the litter because the puppies are not purebred, and unregisterable. It takes less than $25.00 to register a puppy.

“You don’t need to take breeding stock to ‘dog shows,’ because it is all political.” Sorry, but I hate hearing this one from hobby breeders. I have been in the dog world for more than 20 years and have shown more than 4 breeds. Yes, when it comes to the BIG shows, or the Best In Show wins, there are politics involved. But, when it comes to getting the LOWEST award a dog can get (which is becoming a champion) there is little to prevent any breeder from showing and winning - unless they know their dogs are not good quality. All the title of champion means is that more than one judge considers the dog is good enough for breeding.

Poor quality parents = poor quality puppies. Many people believe they only need two purebred parents to produce good quality puppies. This is not true. Many hereditary diseases, like joint problems, are avoided by good breeders who understand bloodlines and structure. If the breeder thinks they can breed different body types together, and get consistently healthy puppies, they shouldn’t be breeding.

If both parents are champions, the puppies are good. Again, buyer beware. It is relatively easy to make a good dog a champion. Hobby and unscrupulous breeders know this, so they finish one or two dogs (not most of them), and then con new buyers into believing that ‘championship’ is the pinnacle of a dog’s career, instead of the lowest award it can achieve.

So, how can you protect yourself? Here are some helpful hints that will help you avoid ending up with a puppy you cannot live with.

Visit at least 10 breeders, before looking at a puppy.

Never let a breeder put a puppy in your hands, or tell you it will be gone tomorrow if you don’t buy it now. In fact, most good breeders will not let you have the puppy after a first visit. Most good puppy owners do not take money on the first visit.

Never take your children when looking at puppies.

Contact the national breed association and ask questions.

Make sure the breeder does not consistently use males and females from their own kennel. The males most good kennels use come from top winning stock.

A health guarantee is only valuable if you, the puppy buyer, is willing to go to court. In many cases, they are not worth the paper they are written on. Instead, ask for the names of 5 - 10 people who ownes one of these dog’s puppies for more than a year.

Ask the breeder for vet records showing when the breeder had the parents checked for hereditary defects.

Don’t buy from breeders who always have puppies. Also, when it comes to kennels, bigger is not better. Large operations, even ’show’ ones, are businesses. They are more concerned with income than the relationship between you and your new puppy.

Don’t buy a cheap puppy. Find the average price of a puppy, and look for puppies in that price range. It is expensive, ‘properly’ raising a litter of puppies. And, it is easy for a good breeder to sell puppies. So, if a breeder is selling bargain puppies, then something is wrong.

Beware of breeders who breed their female pet. Rarely do they possess the knowledge needed to breed a good litter. More important, I have known about entire networks of people selling puppies, believing they are helping a breeder. Instead, these people are selling puppies for a puppy mill. No one will go to a stinky farm and select their puppy from dozen’s of litters. No one is that nave anymore. So, puppy mills have become very savvy, even buying ’show ribbons’, to make themselves appear more legit.

If you can avoid these mistakes, you will reduce the risk of buying a poor quality puppy.

There are some facts I can give you. All the reputable, concerned breeders I have met have three things in common.

1. They love to talk about their breed.

2. They are not in any hurry to sell a puppy.

3. They only breed 1 - 5 litters a year.

Suzanne James is instructor of the online course “Pick the right dog for you” at http://www.universalclass.com. She ran a dog training school, and has shown and bred 4 breeds of dogs. Currently she breeds Chinese Crested dogs under the name Orchid Kennels http://www.inspiredauthor.com/ChineseCresteds

The canine distemper virus (CDV) causes a highly contagious disease in dogs known as distemper. Dogs who contract distemper suffer damage to their gastrointestinal, central nervous and respiratory systems. Distemper is incurable and often fatal.

Puppies between the ages of three and six months are most susceptible to the disease, although older dogs and other carnivorous mammals can also contract distemper. At one time, distemper was the leading cause of death among puppies that had not been vaccinated. Since the distemper vaccine was created in the early 60s, incidents of distemper and distemper related deaths have dropped considerably.

CDV is transmitted via airborne viral particles that dogs inhale. Infected dogs also shed the virus through bodily secretions and excretions. In this manner it is easy for an infected dog to cause the infection of another dog.

Distemper causes a multitude of symptoms that include various respiratory and gastrointestinal symptoms to central nervous system disorders. In fact, dogs that die as a result of distemper actually die from central nervous complications caused by the disease or from secondary bacterial infections.

Diagnosing distemper is difficult for a veterinarian to diagnose as blood tests are not helpful in detecting the presence of CDV. Successful diagnosis often relies on the ruling out of comparative disorders whose symptoms can often suggest the presence of CDV.

Because there is no cure for distemper, treatment for the disease is supportive and a vet will attempt to treat the symptoms as best as possible. A clean, warm, and draft free environment should be created and maintained to ensure the dog is as comfortable as possible. The eyes and nose should be kept free of discharge, and medication to treat diarrhea should be administered. Dogs suffering from distemper must be given plenty of fluids to help reduce fever and prevent dehydration. Other symptoms are treated as they appear if possible.

Like any viral disease, prevention is a much better and more successful option than treatment and the best option is vaccination during the early weeks of life. The distemper vaccination creates a long lasting immunity to the virus, but it is not permanent. Annual inoculations are recommended to maintain the dog’s immunity to distemper. Most puppies are given vaccinations that include distemper vaccine along with vaccines for several other diseases.

About the Author

This article courtesy of http://www.dog-obedience-guide.com

The Bloodhound or St. Hubert Hound is an ancient breed that dates back over 1500 years. The name Bloodhound refers to their pure blood and pure breeding standards. This large scent hound ways between 70-115 pounds and measures 23″ to 27″ in length. They are known for their excellent tracking ability that can be matched by no other dog.

In fact, it is due to this innate, unmatched tracking ability that they are the only dogs whose tracking testimony is permitted in the court of law. Tracking trails performed by police Bloodhounds are permissible in court. A Bloodhound by the name of Nick Carter is credited for finding over 600 criminals. He reportedly once followed a trail that was over 100 hours old to catch a fugitive. Sherlock Holmes was often referred to as the human Bloodhound because of his excellent investigative work.

Bloodhounds are recognized by the AKC. Their permissible coat colors include liver and tan, black and tan, or red and tawny. White flecks or a small amount of white on the chest and feet is allowed. Their short, smooth and hard coat is easy to groom and requires only minimal grooming with a hound glove. They only need bathed when necessary.

Although energetic and intense when working, the Bloodhound is gentle and friendly when they are home with their family. They are laid back and easy going when they are not working and are wonderful with children. They do best with other dogs and pets that they are raised with from puppyhood. This is particularly true for non-canine pets as they have an innate tracking/chasing drive. They tend to be head strong and are difficult to train. No matter how well trained they are, if they find an interesting scent to follow, they will follow it until they are satisfied and will only stop when they are ready to stop no matter how many times you call them. For this reason they should be walked on a leash and kept in a fenced in yard. Even though they are not a high energy dog at home, they still require regular exercise and play. They love time to explore outside and are best in homes with a yard. They are not meant for apartment life.

The Bloodhounds ancestry dates back over 1500 years. They are often called St. Hubert Hounds because the St. Hubert monks in Belgium are credited with perfecting the breed to what we know it as today. They were brought to the United States from England. They were traditionally considered hunting and tracking dogs and are still used for these things today as well as police work and family companionship.

Perfect as hunting dog or companion dog for active families, the Bloodhound is an intelligent, curious breed that loves to explore the countryside with their family by day and relax inside with their family by night. Good with children, the Bloodhound works well with family life. If you are a family that enjoys outdoor activities and are looking for a dog to share in all aspects of family life, the Bloodhound might be a good choice for you.

Learn more about the Bloodhound or visit us online to talk about Dogs or to see Dog Pictures.

Large breed dogs pose special grooming dilemmas. The Great Pyrenees and other Bernard family members have cornered the market on that special combination of girth and hair. Without a regimented grooming routine the Pyrenees’ flowing white locks can easily morph, soon resembling an electrocuted Komondor on steroid.

One obstacle to keeping large breeds in the peek of beauty is the difficulty in locating nail clippers, brushes and dental supplies suited to their substantial size. Substitution will have to be made. Still, with a little ingenuity grooming is a snap.

Body Brushing
Combing out the Great Pyrenees is a challenge. The high-stung nature of the breed makes them tend to wiggle around during grooming. In fact, these stealth dogs are apt to sprint off if not restrained, sometimes moving up to three centimeters in a single afternoon.

Your best bet for body brushing or raking is to work on your pet while he is asleep. Avoid active times such as 6:00 to 6:03 a.m. and the 30 minutes after sunset Pyrenees’ devote solely to barking. This breed is known to sleep with its eyes open. When stalking them with grooming tools be cautious. Once you are with in 65 feet of your dog, listen for a train. This verifies your dog is snoring.

Work efficiently once you begin grooming a Great Pyrenees. You may only have 13 hours before he wakes up. When grooming 140 lbs. of fur bonded together by drool and the occasional tree branch, you must not dally. A weed eater is an efficient option for quickly working your way through the shrubs to the actual hair prior to brushing.

Nail Clipping
Clipping your Pyrenees’s claws should be a regular part of your grooming routine. Before beginning this procedure head for the hardware store. Pick up a large metal rasp and bolt cutters. Once claws have been neatly trimmed call in HAZMAT to remove the clippings from your home. Don’t forget the dewclaws.

Great Pyrenees’ have a multitude of extra toes just kinda “hangin’ out” on their lower legs. Hiding amongst them are a total of six massive curly toenails. Each is so large it makes a valosaraptor claw look like a minute droplet of Chihuahua snot. Don’t let the dewclaws go unattended more than a few weeks. Negligence will yield a clipping big enough to be used as a spiral staircase.

Dental Care
Dog owners often overlook the importants of good oral hygiene. Fortunately, in the Bernard breeds, their mouths offer plenty of room to work in. Take advantage of this trait. You can create ample access to the mouth by simply pulling their massive floppy lips up from both sides of the face. Then, use three clothespins to secure them to one another across the bridge of the nose. You may also secure a single lip to the opposing ear in a similar fashion.

Once the teeth are exposed insert a shop vac tube under your dogs tongue. This technique is identical to that of the ’spit sucker’ used in a dental offices. A fifteen-gallon vac should suffice. Once the shop vac is fired up the Great Pyrenees will start to awaken. You will have about two hours to completely remove large pieces of sod stored along the gum line before your dog hits full cognitive thought. At this point he’ll eat the vacuum prior to falling back asleep.

As a final touch, clean you canine’s feet. Shinny up between the pads with a flashlight, some pliers and a bottle of WD 40. Remove stones, dried bats, milk carton children and anything else not belonging up there. Once this task is done your grooming regiment is complete. Wake your dog by simple uttering the word “cookie.’ By the time you get to “coo” every Great Pyrenees in a six mile radius will be in your kitchen.

With a little work and a few trips to Home Depot, your Great Pyrenees, Saint Bernard or Newfoundland will glow with beauty. When you combine all this glamour with their high intelligence and magnetic personalities, your dog will be the envy of the neighborhood.

Zoologist turned satirist Nola L. Kelsey is the author of the scathingly wicked satire Bitch Unleashed: The Harsh Realities of Goin’ Country (September 05). She is also the owner of Samuel the Great Pyrenees, who plays primary character in her book and in her life.
Excerpts from Bitch Unleashed and subscriptions to Kelsey’s newsletter are available on her web site, http://www.NolaKelsey.com

Were you aware that there are literally hundreds of distinct dog breeds? When you decide to get a dog, choosing the right dog breed for you and your family is essential. With so many different dog breeds available, this can become a very daunting task. Luckily, there are ways in which you can narrow down your options somewhat, making the whole thing a lot easier.

First and foremost you should be considering one major factor….. How much space do you have? If you live in an apartment there is little point in getting a large dog that takes up a lot of room and may also need a lot of exercising. For living areas with limited space, consider the Toy group of dogs such as the Terrier Group or Miniature Pinscher. Also the cost of keeping your dog should be evaluated. Very large dogs may eat significant amounts of food whereas smaller dogs will eat very little in comparison. Try doing a rough calculation of cost for several different dog breeds over a twelve month period. Take into consideration food and regular visits to the vet for inoculation, worming etc. You will see that larger dogs are very often much more expensive to keep.

If you have children, you may want to consider what dog breed would suit them. Children can be quite heavy handed with pets sometimes; getting a Chihuahua for example may not be such a good idea as they are delicate animals. Similarly, having a Great Dane or Saint Bernard marauding around the house could be dangerous for a child. The age and number of children you have should definitely be considered as this will affect what type of dog would best suit your circumstances.

Another major point to consider is how much exercise you can offer your dog. If you have a reasonable sized yard, fencing it off will provide a good space for your dog to exercise itself. If you live in an apartment, consider getting a dog that requires very little exercise. An excitable Border collie would be a poor choice for an apartment life. Also, how much exercise can YOU put up with? There is no point getting a dog that requires lots of exercise such as a Hunting or Sporting dog breed if you cannot keep up the exercise regime. Try and get a dog that suits your lifestyle.

Grooming you dog is something to think about. If you do not have a lot of spare time in your life try to avoid dog breeds like the Standard Poodle which will need very regular grooming sessions. The short haired Terriers or Whippets make a good choice for somebody who has little time to sit and groom for hours at a time. Conversely if you have a lot of free time, regular grooming sessions with your dog will provide you both with a lot of quality time that you will both enjoy.

When choosing your dog, take a look at the bigger picture. Try to resist the temptation to go for the cutest, cuddliest, adorable dog you can find. Consider your lifestyle, your home, your family and try to find a dog breed that fits best with your life. After all, your new dog will be sharing your life with you for many years to come so making sure that you are both happy is an important thing to consider.

Article By Andrew Strachan. Find lots more information about different dog breeds and types of dogs at www.types-of-dogs.com. Lots of help and advice too.

Your dogs health is important to you. You show her how important by keeping her well fed and groomed, making sure she gets plenty of exercise and providing a collection of fun, safe toys for her entertainment. You don’t skimp on the quality of his food. And to reward good boys and girls, there are always lots of delicious treats in the cupboard.
But if he has bad breath, you could be overlooking a serious problem with your dogs health.
“Dog Breath” is such a common condition that we make jokes about it. Sometimes we even tease our human “friends” using “dog breath” in play-ground style name-calling ( although hopefully this is limited to teenage boys.) And I know many pet owners who comment that they love their dog or cat like a child, but just can’t stand the smell of the animal’s breath! Well, guess what? “Dog Breath” isn’t normal.

It’s estimated that 80 percent of dogs and 70 percent of cats over the age of three suffer from the periodontal disease a serious deterioration of the gums and supporting bones of the teeth. Yes, it’s periodontal disease that’s responsible for “dog breath”. But the problem doesn’t confine itself to your furry baby’s mouth. It’s an infection, and the tiny creatures responsible for it can break loose and enter the bloodstream. Once they do, they can infect vital organs such as the liver and kidneys, endangering your dogs health by causing a far more serious illness.

The best way to insure your dogs health, especially where periodontal disease is concerned, is with prevention. It can make all the difference.

Periodontal disease begins as gingivitis, which is virtually harmless and completely treatable. If allowed to move to the next stage–Periodontitis– it can be stopped, but not cured. And the worse it gets, the faster it progresses. This applies to all animals, two legged and four legged alike. Think of a car parked at the top of a hill. The emergency break is released, and the car begins to roll downhill. Now, if you hit the breaks right away, no harm done. But the farther the car rolls the faster it goes, and the more momentum it builds. It gets harder and harder to stop it. By the time it’s halfway down the hill, you could be headed for disaster!

You can maintain your dogs health nicely with proper home care. But, like the rolling car, if disease is already present, stopping and controlling it is a bigger job.

Prevention involves, above all, regular veterinary checkups and professional cleanings beginning early in your dog or cat’s life. I’ll show you how you can help maintain oral health at home, but it’s impossible to do a thorough cleaning on an animal who’s awake. Trust me on this. It’s hard enough to do a thorough job with a cooperative human patient. When we’re talking about animals who don’t understand what we’re doing or why, forget about it.

Most veterinarians recommend annual cleanings, but more frequent or involved treatment may be needed depending on your animal’s condition. Please, no matter what you’re doing at home, follow the vet’s recommendations. As for your part, introduce your dog or cat to the idea of having his teeth brushed as early as possible. I know, it’s not easy, and it takes time and daily conditioning to get your little guy or gal used to it. But your dogs health is worth it!

So how do you prevent the most common of threats to your dogs health? Brush her teeth, of course! Every day. Just like you would your own (twice a day for you, and floss too!!). This isn’t easy, but it can become an expected part of your dog’s routine if you do it right. Here are some suggestions:

1.Start when your dog is a puppy. The earlier the better.

2.At first, you just want her to get used to you handling her head and looking inside her mouth. Practice lifting up her lips and looking at her teeth and gums–front, back and both sides of her mouth.

3.Now begin gently touching the gum tissue with your finger and rub along her gums and teeth as if your finger were a toothbrush. Let her get used to the sensation. This is exactly the way you would introduce a human baby to brushing, beginning with just her gums. Even before there are teeth, there are harmful bacteria. So don’t worry about a tiny puppy who doesn’t have a full set of teeth yet–rub her gums, swab out her little mouth with your finger, and get her used the this kind of contact from her owner.

4.Your next step is to wrap gauze or a soft washcloth around your finger and rub the gums on both the outer and inner surfaces of the teeth.

5. Finally, introduce a tooth brush in one small area. As your dog gets used to the brush, you will be able to use it in place of the gauze or washcloth. Remember to brush the inside surfaces!

A little brushing a day, beginning with the first step and working your way up gradually, will eventually lead to a one to two minute session. Your dog will learn that it doesn’t hurt and that she gets a couple of minutes of your undivided attention every day. It generally takes 8 to 16 weeks to get there, but in the end your dog will accept brushing as part of her daily routine.

If a little brushing is done every day at a set time, eventually your pet gets used to it, and some will even look forward to it. It will take most pet owners from 8-16 weeks until the pet accepts it readily. Now the pet realizes it doesn’t hurt and that it will get 1-2 minutes of your undivided attention. Your pet enjoys your attention, and will eventually wait patiently for you to brush his teeth.

There’s a toothbrush with three heads that will allow you to brush all three surface of the tooth at one time, which makes life a lot easier for both of you! It also has nice, soft bristles so you won’t harm your pet’s delicate gum tissue.There are also products that can be rubbed on the gums and added to the drinking water to help reduce bacteria in an animal’s mouth and promote the dogs health and healing. Bad breath is actually a by-product of the bacteria that populate the mouth. They break down proteins and carbohydrates from your dog or cat’s diet, and produce something called “volatile sulfur compounds”, or VSC’s. It’s the sulfur that make the breath smell extra special!

Certain dental products have an agent that neutralizes the VSC’s. Many owners have commented that their cat or dog seems to like the drinking water better when these products are added–even though they have no flavor! And there’s a gel available that, although formulated for the gums, can be very soothing for skin conditions, cuts, and surgical wounds thanks to the Aloe Vera it contains.

The best oral care products work without the use of fragrances and flavors, which entice human consumers, but don’t benefit your cat or dogs health in any way!

I was a practicing dentist for over 20 years, and I saw a lot of human patients who had terrible breath (and periodontal disease) and weren’t even aware of it. People don’t like to tell each other about bad breath. Even the dentist has to be delicate with this piece of bad news.

At least when dealing with a pet, you don’t have to worry about social embarrassment in order to address your dogs health problem! Don’t be shy, get in there and do something about it. Not only can your dog get rid of her breath odor, but she could even live 2 to 5 years longer as a result. And you’ll be able to get close again, without holding your breath.

About the Author

Carolyn Schweitzer DDS. Dr. Schweitzer was a family dentist for 20 years and is now owner and editor of several websites. You can learn more about specific dental care products by visiting her website at http://www.great-dog-gift.com/dentalcare

As winter arrives in the northern parts of the world and we
break out our down filled parkas, our fleece lined ski jackets,
long-johns, hats and mittens - do we stop to think of our four
legged friends and companions? Well, most of us don’t, which is
hard to imagine seeing as he’s one of our best friends.

Most of the dogs that we keep have not been bred for a severely
cold climate. They were bred for size, companionship, show and
as working dogs. Only the Spitz-type dogs such as the Alaskan
malamute and the Huskies were bred for cold climates. These are
large dogs with heavy mass and thick coats that are able to
retain and maintain their body heat.

Many of the larger short haired breeds such as the Bulldog,
Boxer, Dalmatian and Great Dane appreciate a sweater in cold
weather. However, most of the dogs we have as pets in our homes
are from the medium to smaller dog breeds. These dogs, because
of their smaller body mass and typically thinner coats, can get
cold very quickly. Their extremities, being smaller, have a
greater chance of being damaged by the cold than do the larger
breeds. Small and toy dogs have an extremely hard time
maintaining and retaining their body heat. At worst frigid air,
snow or slush can cause your dog to get frost bite and at best
it will certainly make her him not want to go outdoors for
exercise, walks and toileting.

One of the best ways to protect your pet from the elements is to
kit them out with specialty dog
clothes designed to keep them warm. Like our own clothing,
the materials used are designed for comfort and durability.
Fleece, cotton and nylon are commonly used in the construction
of doggie coats, capes, sweaters, shirts and boots. If you want
keep your dog comfortable in cold weather you will need to
purchase at the very least a coat or cape (to help retain body
heat) and fleece lined nylon boots (to protect the feet from
snow and cold). Almost any pet store will have dog apparel to
suit most breeds. To find larger sized clothes (for breeds like
the Greyhound) or specific brands and styles, you may have to
search out an on-line store that carries these products.

If you live in the Snow Belt, do your dog a favor - get him some
warm clothes to wear. He’ll be happier for it and you’ll have
peace of mind that your dog is safe and comfortable.

Potty Training Your Puppy:
Make sure you feed your dog at regular times every day as this makes bathroom breaks regular as well. Feed your puppy 2-3 times a day.

As soon as he is finished eating, take him to a grassy “potty area”. Speak the words “go potty” or “go in the grass” before and while he is eliminating. Be sure to praise him when he is done.

What you are doing is building word associations with the dog that will allow you to encourage his potty activity on command.

This comes in handy when you and your dog are at unusual locations and at pit stops during long haul travel. It also saves you from cleaning unwanted fecal material off the carpet at home.

It is a good idea to train your puppy to use a place where you can easily clean up and dispose of the droppings into the sewer. This is because worms that infect dogs and make them sick get spread around through the eggs or larvae found in the feces. Some, like the roundworm, can also infect children.

Reprimanding Your Puppy:
Talk to puppies like you would to children when they do something wrong.

Tell them “no” and show them immediately what the correct behavior should be and reward them for doing it right. After a few times they’ll know how to do it right.

For example, tell him “NO” when you catch him chewing the shoes. Then immediately give him his own toys to chew and cheer him on to chew on the toys. Praise him for doing so.

Use sparingly those reprimanding words like “No,” “Stop that,” “get off” and “bad dog!” Instead use more praises to reward good behavior in your dogs, this way the reprimands will take on stronger meaning.

A correct reprimand is short, sharp and immediate.

Only reprimand when you catch your dog doing something wrong, and punish only with your voice.

Hitting, kicking, slapping or spanking your dog can create more problems and usually makes existing problems worse. You may just end up with a barking and chewing dog, one that is leery, hand-shy, fearful or aggressive.

If you really have to spank one with your hand, just slap him across the behind.

Repetition and Rewards:
Repetitions are a crucial aspect of any dog’s training. You should always reward them for doing something right while training. The more often he is rewarded, the better and quicker he will learn. Create situations where your dog can get plenty of practice at doing the right things.

Be sure to praise and love on him when he does a good job. This is simple but not always easy to do. Bad behaviors like biting, constant yelping and barking and tearing the house apart get our immediate notice. What we easily forget to acknowledge are the good parts - when the dog is lying down quietly, chewing on his own toys, leaving the carpet unsoiled.

Praise and reward are the most important part of maintaining your dog’s good behavior and preventing him from getting into trouble.

Dog Toys, Games and Treats:
Foods, treats or praise will bring out the best responses from your dogs during training.

Treats can come in the form of their favorite food, toy or something they really love to do.

Some favorite treats are ice cream, cheese, ham and chicken. One Boxer dog even fancies a handful of ice cubes to crunch on though he’s not thirsty. Test human food treats a little at a time though, because some dogs can be sensitive to certain things. Milk products for instance, can give a puppy diarrhea.

The all time dog favorites of fetching, tug-of-war, and hide and seek games can be made more treasured using your dog’s favorite ball or toy, and giving him plenty of stroking in between throws.

Daniel Lesser
article url: http://www.thingsfordogs.com/puppy-basics.php

About the Author

Dog and Puppy Articles,
Pictures and Resources
http://www.thingsfordogs.com

It’s become standard for anyone wanting a glamorous aura to pick out their dogs like they pick out their shoes. “Ooh - I’ll have that darling one in the corner, great color - matches my handbag too!”

And they’re easy to find - anyone with enough money can pick out the doglet of their dreams.

Perhaps even scarier than the free availability of ‘designer dogs’ is the fact that almost anyone can create a new breed of dog. The sudden increase in dogs as fashion statements has meant that there are many unscrupulous breeders trying to make a quick buck from expensive dogs with cute names.

Unfortunately there are so many risks with these kinds of breeding practices. Anybody can mix any combination of dogs but few can master doing it in a way that is good for the dogs, and the humans who live with them. It’s about much more than genetics. Why create a dog that is very likely to have a painful future?

Imagine that your cute Yorki-poo puppy has a very expensive medical future before them. Or try to imagine that this adorable Puggle that you’ve just brought home might have to have his eyes popped back into their sockets at regular intervals!

Amateur breeders are unleashing all kinds of dangerous conditions upon dogs who are being bred to fit in with our lifestyles.

It can be argued that all dogs came to be as a result of interbreeding. Not only are all purebreds a result of mixing but in fact every single dog today has some history of crossbreeding in their past.

There is a well deserved stigma surrounding these new so called ‘designer mutts’.

Various Pug and Pekingese breeds have very sensitive eyes. Pugs are known to have problematic eyes as are Pekingese. You could end up with a dog whose eyes come out of their sockets. And fixing it could require expensive and painful corrective surgery.

Sounds like something from a horror movie rather than a happy family dog!

What about the mixing of some larger dogs? It can be just as harmful if two genetically inferior specimens are used. You could end up crossing dogs that are plagued by hip dysplasia and land up with a crippled dog.

It’s the lack of predictability that makes these dogs such a risk. You never know what you are getting. And while the odds might be in your favor - nobody can guarantee the health of your designer puppy.

The American Kennel Club is considering allowing some of the more established breeds into the list of accepted and recognized breeds. But this process requires some organization on the part of breeders.

In order to be officially recognized there needs to be evidence that the dogs have at least a three generation pedigree. The dog must also be widely spread across the United States - across at least 20 states.

Labradoodles are the most well known of the designer dog clubs. Labradoodles are also at the forefront of acceptance into the American Kennel Club. There are some breeders who have at least 15 generations of Labradoodles and claim they can predict with great certainty the look and temperament of the dog. There is much debate in the canine world about whether or not many of these new hybrids will be

Only time will tell whether these dogs will be accepted into the mainstream. Many people are enjoying the benefits of dogs designed to fit in a handbag or dogs designed to live in small spaces.

It’s important to remember that whatever you are looking for in a dog - you are looking for in the puppy’s parents too. With these expensive puppies you might be shelling out allot of money for a great disappointment.

Check as much as you can about the mix you are most interested in. Rather leave combinations that you can see might have similar weaknesses. Don’t buy puppies from people who seem to be more interested in your money than the wellbeing of their puppies.

At the end of the day - good puppies come from good homes. Knowledge about genetic disorders is as important as warmth and love when it comes to making great pets.

Until designer dogs become more widely recognized - it’s best to stick to the more traditional mixes. At least you will know what you are getting.

If a purebred puppy doesn’t really appeal to you - why not rather think about buying an adult dog from a shelter. At least this way you can have a bit more certainty about the dog’s temperament and looks.

At the end of the day your designer mutt might end up costing you more. If your dog has some suspect heritage you will need many tests to screen for a range of possible ailments. If your dog is your fashion accessory - you will be able to enjoy the added advantage of all kinds of colorful accessories for you little mutt.

Whatever you decide - giving them a happy home is more important above all else no matter what may come your dog’s way.

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide

Dog Fighting History

Using dogs in fighting has been around for hundreds maybe thousands of years. The Romans, Greeks, Spanish and French used dogs for fighting.

Fighting between all kinds of animals have always been a very popular event. As far back as can be recalled dogs called gladiator were bred for the sole purpose of dog fighting.

The British began breeding the bulldog for the sole reason of dog on dog combat, but they were not the first; since this event has been around since the day of the Roman Empire. The dogs that the British used are commonly known today as the American Pit Bull Terrier.

The bulldog is well known for being used to manage unruly bulls, and by hunters for helping them in catching and holding wild boars or other big game.

Since, the bull dog was so popular for these types of activities the sport of bullbaiting became very popular. Bullbaiting was where bulldogs and other larger animals were pitted together.

Animals such as horses, bears, lions, and yes even men were put together for the sole purpose of fighting. This bullbaiting sport was eventually outlawed, so the public turned to dog fighting. Dog Fighting was economically better for the owners of the fighters, because they did not need as much room for the fighting area, and they only had to feed two dogs; instead of one dog and a larger animal. Also, with just dogs fighting it would be easier to hold these fights in secret if the need arose.

To acquire a smaller dog with increased agility and more stamina and fighting ability the bulldog was bred with game hunting terriers. As this breeding increased so did the aggression in these dogs.

Dog fighting breeders especially searched for dogs with the gaming and aggressive behavior, as their goal was to refine the best canine gladiator in the bulldog.

Dog fighting was seen through out the 1800’s into the 1900’s and still does continue today. But, it is illegal in most of the 50 states in America and most European Countries.

http://www.dog-pictures.co.uk/dog-care-articles/dog-fighting-history.shtml

About the Author

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