Physically, this is the full weaning period. At the beginning, the puppy is being nourished half by nursing and half by feeding. At 2 months the process is completed, and he can leave his mother. Between 6 and 8 weeks is a good time for ear-cropping, if necessary by the vet. He is growing rapidly in size and strength but still he cannot control his natural functions, although he instinctively urinates in the same spot, away from the nest. His nervous system, however is fully mature. His reactions... more
Archive for May, 2008
There are many methods to teach dogs how to weave. Having attended a variety of agility camps and agility seminars, I’ve seen quite a few of the top handlers present their preferred method of weave training. Their training techniques vary,but the one thing they do have in common, the end result, their dogs all weave fast and efficiently. The Weave Chute is one method of training weaves. The Weave Chute is a structure where the weave poles pull apart and the dog runs down the middle... more
Golden Retrievers are a medium to medium/large dog breed. They reach a height between 20″ to 24″. If a Golden Retriever could speak, they might say, “What can I do for you?” They are born people pleasers from hunting to tricks to family pet. The Golden Retriever is AKC recognized with a coat color in varying shades of golden or cream with golden throughout the coat. They get their name, of course, from the color of their coat. They have a medium length, water repellent... more
Copyright 2006 Emma Snow The big day has finally arrived, a new member of the family will be joining your ranks. When you bring the little one home, you want to know you have made the right decision, are they going to fit in well with the other family members, will they be kind to everyone, will they be too rambunctious or too big? Of course by little one I am referring to a new dog in the family. These are questions that often come to mind when bringing home a new pet. While there are no... more
Dog collars are very fashionable and a must for your dog outdoors. A dog collar could help your dog come back home if you have the identification ticket around the neck. It’s also a way for your dog to show to the world that he is stylish. If you own a dog it is normal that you would have a dog collar but many people have at least half a dozen dog collars at home. It is trendy to have different types of dog collars. Dogs too like a change and love to wear different collars. There are... more
Portuguese Water Dogs have short hair that does not shed and is considered a working dog, meaning that it is a breed that needs to stay busy. This breed is considered a hypoallergenic dog. Traditionally used to assist in fishing expeditions, the Portuguese Water Dog is now kept as a house pet. While this breed is not as common as other breeds, if you want to dog that is hypoallergenic, lively, and enjoys companionship, then this breed may be the one for you. Since the Portuguese Water Dog... more
Is your family pet creating an irritating living environment? According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, approximately 42 million Americans suffer from some sort of pet allergy. Pet allergy symptoms may include sneezing, congestion, runny nose and rashes, which all can range from moderate to severe. Allergy-suffering pet owners are calling out for a solution, as getting rid of Fluffy or Fido does not seem to be an option. According to a recent survey, 75 percent... more
Most dogs enjoy listening and are proud of the knowledge and skills they acquire. Untrained dogs are seldom as happy as trained ones, and lead much less interesting lives. Many dogs also get a sense of security from obedience and discipline, especially the more intelligent ones. Every observant dog owner can see for himself that his dog gets greater satisfaction from the praise rewarding a well- executed command or good behavior than he does from the momentary excitement of disobeying, which... more
Avian Flu and Other Zoonotic Diseases Everyone seems on edge about the latest outbreak of avian flu. People in China are told to kill their poultry in order to keep the virus from spreading. Meanwhile people in the United States watch on in fear that the avian flu will come to their shores. So what exactly is all the hubbub about? After all, every winter millions of people come down with bird flu. Origin of Influenza Influenza, the term, came into use around 1504, though it had little... more
This small, spunky dog breed is famous for coining the phrase Yo quiero Taco Bell. Who doesn’t remember the commercials in which the Chihuahua expressed his love for Taco Bell food? Tiny and energetic, the Chihuahua typically weighs between 2-6 lbs and is 6 inches to 9 inches in height. They are one of the longest living dog breeds, sometimes living up to 20 years. The Chihuahua is recognized by the AKC. Any color including solid, splashed and marked are acceptable coat colors. The... more