Archive for June, 2010
Room Training
Room training is an imperative component of any comprehensive dog training routine. Select a safe room that when visitors come over whom are not “dog people,” the dog would stay while the visitors are there. It should contain a pee pad and toys. Some puppies pee in their space at first and some don’t, have patience. The point of the room is to discourage peeing for a period of time and keep them out of trouble – first an hour or two and at night, then gradually longer. The point is to take the dog out before it has to go to the bathroom and as time goes by it can hold it longer and longer. Never more than 4 hours except at night, when I recommend you get up twice during the night and let the puppy out; after two days wait and let the puppy out once in the middle of the night, gradually extend the wait time an hour until finally they have gone all night.
The room should be used up to a year when you are gone and at night. The sooner the puppy is trained and you can trust them the sooner they have free roam of the house. Remember to remove food and water an hour or more before leaving the dog, the puppy should be let outside and empty when left in the room. At night, take food/water away by 5pm so the puppy is empty for the night.
Horse That Overcame Adversity Attempts Guinness World Record
Lukas, a 17-year-old Thoroughbred gelding who stands 16.2 hands, may well be the smartest horse in the country–maybe the world, and owner-trainer Karen Murdock is trying to get him into the Guinness World Records for “Most numbers identified by a horse in one minute.”
On June 16, Lukas was able to identify a correct number at least 18 times.
“The counter said 20, but I think he skimmed two of them,” said Murdock of Southern California. “I don’t know how stringent the Guinness World Records will be. He got between 18-20 correct, which is about average for him.”
Lukas’ journey from broken-down rescue to smartest horse was a long, hard road and can be an inspiration for anyone, Murdock said. “Lukas overcame adversity and that can help our character. It is never too late for any of us.”
He ran three races as a 2-year-old and bowed both front tendons, ending his career. He was found years later filthy and emaciated in a back yard by a woman who took pity on him.
She tried to rehabilitate him for her jumping program-but he was obstinate and dangerous. She sold him to Murdock eight years ago.
“He was a handful,” Murdock said, “but I fell in love with him. Basically, I had to un-train him and use tricks and play to change his attitude and to build a bond with him.”
Lukas has been listed on Yahoo, Google and the World Records Academy as “The World’s Smartest Horse.” He counts, spells, identifies shapes, discriminates colors and grasps the concepts of same/different, proportion and absentness, she said.
To be considered for the Guinness record, he had to point with his nose the correct number from 1 to 5 when Murdock called it out; the call-outs were random and non-sequential.
She was not allowed to praise him, pet him, encourage him or touch him. “The guidelines were specific in that there could be no pointing or touching, no extra words,” she said.
Murdock doesn’t know when Guinness will make its decision, but she is happy that the record-keepers are even considering Lukas. Until now, animal records have had to do with the physical attributes – tallest, shortest, longest tail, etc.
Considering an animal’s cognitive abilities is new.
“This is the first time that Guinness has ever allowed such an activity,” she said. “I’m just glad that people are willing to look at animals in a different light.”
This article is from http://www.thehorse.com/ViewArticle.aspx?ID=16545
Written by: Marie Rosenthal, MS
Animal Safety to Keep You Pet Cool
Dogs in hot cars face an immediate crisis that is entirely preventable,” Alexis Raymond, Communications Director of the national non-profit, told Zootoo Pet News. “By educating pet owners and others that leaving a dog in the car when the weather is even mildly warm, we hope to save many animals from suffering and dying.
Download your reminder and share with others. I found these 2 posters on
http://www.mydogiscool.com/downloads/HotCar-Store-Sign.pdf
http://www.mydogiscool.com/downloads/MDIC_poster_8×11.pdf
This post is all about being aware of who you carry in the car with you. I know my dog, Baby, discovered she loves taking car rides now. So every time I pick up my car keys she is dancing around. I would love to take her everywhere I go but I also have to keep in mind that I may not be able to take her in the various companies that I have to visit. It is for their safety not our companionship that should be taken into account.
Another part of the safety issue is leaving their dog leash on them unattended. There is always a possiblity of it getting caught in the seat or over the headrest. This creates a whole new problem for your pet. Just please be aware of any and all dangers.
So I am asking you to please think before you accidently do something to harm the health and safety of your pet.
Recovering From the Loss of a Pet
Do You Have to Leave Your Pet at Home
1. Please Don’t Go! Coping with Separation Anxiety in Pets
When your dog suffers from separation anxiety, leaving the house can be just as stressful for you as it is for him. No one likes to see a beloved pet upset—plus, any time away from home might be spent worrying what kind of mess awaits your return. Will your pooch tear up the sofa? Chew the walls? Pee on the carpet? Shake, drool and bark for hours?
Overcoming disorders like separation anxiety takes time, patience and consistency, but it can be done! Don’t wait any longer: take control of your dog’s happiness—and your own—just in time for summer travel season. Follow the advice of ASPCA animal behaviorists, and next time you drop off Fido at a friend’s house or the boarding kennel, you’ll feel sweet relief knowing that you miss him more than he misses you.
- Doctor Knows Best
The first step in tackling behavior issues is to rule out any underlying medical problems that might be causing your pet’s behavior. For example, if your pet is urinating in the house, he might be suffering from a urinary tract infection, bladder stones, diabetes or kidney disease. - Keep It Mellow
All greetings—hellos and goodbyes—should be conducted in a very calm manner. When saying goodbye, just give your dog a pat on the head, say goodbye and leave. Similarly, when arriving home, say hello to your dog and then don’t pay any more attention to him until he’s calm and relaxed. - Dogs Need Jobs
Providing lots of physical and mental stimulation is a vital part of treating many behavior problems, especially those involving anxiety. Exercise can enrich your dog’s life, decrease stress and provide appropriate outlets for normal behavior. Plus, a tired dog doesn’t have much excess energy to burn when he’s left alone!
Visit the Dog Care section of our website to read our complete guide to tackling separation anxiety.
Maintaining Canine Health
If you care enough about your dog, you must learn how to take care of him properly. Aside from the necessities like food, water, and shelter that you need to provide, dog health is one important aspect that every dog owner should be very knowledgeable on. After all, pets need more than love to be happy and healthy. Know what important dog care products you should buy that are ideal for your dog’s specific needs.
When buying dog care products, keep these tips in mind:
~Ask your vet; he’s the best person to get advice from when it comes to suggesting good pet products
~Read consumer reviews before shelling out any money
~Bring your dog along to pet stores when choosing health care supplies. He might even choose his toys and treats himself
~Research the climate in your area and how it can affect your pet’s health
~Learn more about your dog’s breed, their common problems and particular needs
~Know your dog’s size and weight well so it would be easy when buying items like dog leads, collars and carriers