Wichita Today

Posts Tagged ‘dogs’

The Belgian Malinois originated in the city of Malinois, Belgium, from which it takes its name. Standing at between 22 and 26 inches, and weighing 55 to 65 pounds, the breed somewhat resembles the German Shepherd, but is slightly smaller and has a lighter build.

There are actually four varieties of Belgian sheepdog, the Belgian Tervuren, Belgian Groenendael, Belgian Laekenois and, of course, the Belgian Malinois. Not all kennel clubs recognize all of these. The AKC, for example, recognizes three of the variants as separate breeds, while the UKC accepts all four as a single breed.

Although Malinois still work as sheep herders, these days you are far more likely to see them as police dogs. Their intelligence and obedience makes them adept at all kinds of police work, including bomb detection, narcotics detection, search and rescue work, and guarding.

These are smart, loyal dogs who are strongly protective and territorial in nature. They are suitable as family pets but need training, socialization and consistent leadership. They also need fairly vigorous exercise and will do best with an active family who can give them plenty of attention and companionship. A bored and under-exercised Malinois will soon develop behavioural issues like chewing, problem barking and digging.

A well socialized Malinois will do okay with children but may still try to dominate other dogs. It is therefore important to keep a close eye on situations when tempers tend to flare, such as feeding times. You will also have to watch your Malinois around small animals, including cats.

Another trait they you may find disconcerting is that the Malinois likes to nip at the ankles of anyone in close proximity, a remnant of their past as a herding dog.

It should be pretty obvious by now that a Malinois can be quite a handful, and you should give it a lot of consideration before deciding to take on such a high maintenance dog. Speaking to someone who has experience with the breed will help you to make an informed decision.

The Belgian Malinois is a robust and healthy dog breed with few major health issues. Minor concerns for the breed includes cataracts, epilepsy, thyroid disease and progressive retinal atrophy.As far as behavioral issues are concerned, aggressiveness or shyness may occur in dogs that have not been properly socialized.

Grooming a Malinois is fairly easy. A good brush down two or three times per week is all that is needed to keep the coat in good condition.

If you’ve set your heart on adopting a Malinois you need to be prepared to give the dog a lot of exercise. This breed is most definitely unsuited to apartment life, and needs space to move around in. Regardless of living arrangements though, your dog will need a long daily walk to keep him happy. Malinois bond closely with their human families and are therefore better off living indoors, and close to those they care about.

If you’re stuck for dog names, for your Belgian Malinois, I’d recommend that you check out Puppy Names HQ, an online database that has thousands of excellent dog names including a huge list of female dog names.

When people think of the Bloodhound the first image that comes to mind is packs of baying hounds tracking down an escaped convict. But the Bloodhound is so much more than just that.

These exceptional scent hounds have been used to find victims of natural disasters, lost children and stranded hikers. It may also surprise you to learn that they also make wonderful companion dogs.

Sometimes called the St. Hubert Hound, the Bloodhound is an ancient dog breed, which originated in Belgium and was brought to England by the Normans in 1066. The name of the breed derives from the fact that, even back then, great lengths that were taken to ensure that the breed strain remained clear. As a result they were referred to as “blooded” hounds.

The Bloodhound is a big, heavy dog. Males can stand as tall as 27 inches at the withers and weigh up to 110 pounds. The dog’s coat is smooth but loose fittings, with skin folds that are often seen in hounds. The ears are long, and hang down.

Another characteristic of the breed is their sad “hang dog” expression. According to the breed standard 3 color variants are allowed, black and tan, liver and tan, and red.

These gentle, affectionate hound dogs have character and personality to spare. They are extremely loyal and are known to mourn the loss of a human or canine companion.

Their gentle nature makes them excellent with children, and despite their serious demeanor they can be quite playful when the mood takes them. Bloodhounds just love attention and are sensitive souls who don’t respond well to harsh treatment.

In common with most other hounds, a Bloodhound can be a handful to train. It’s not that they lack intelligence, quite the opposite, but they are independent thinkers, and easily distracted by the goings on around them.

The Bloodhound is a dog that was simply born to track. These dogs are simply unable to resist any interesting scent they encounter and for this reason it is imperative that they dog is not able to escape from your property. You should also never walk your Bloodhound off the leash. Not unless you want to spend your time chasing after him!

If you’re considering a Bloodhound as a pet you should be aware that they can be very messy dogs. They are droolers, and will trail puddles of water through the house whenever they drink. They also rival the Bulldog as the champion canine snorer!

Grooming is quite easy, but needs to be done regularly. The dog will require a brush own a few times a week, and daily during the shedding season. You will also have to keep the ears clean and dry and wipe the skin folds with a damp cloth, as both of these areas are prone to bacterial and fungal infections.

The Bloodhound is a strong, healthy dog that typically lives 10 to 12 years. They do however suffer from a number of health problems. Like most big dogs they are at risk from hip dysplasia and gastric torsion, while elbow dysplasia, is also know to occur.

The easiest way to find good names for your Bloodhound is to visit an online dog names, resource, like puppy-names-hq.com. This site has tons of dog names, including 1000s of boy dog names to choose from.

Affectionately known as the “Chessie”, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is an American breed with a fascinating history.

In 1807 a British vessel was shipwrecked off the Maryland coast, and among those rescued were two Newfoundland puppies. The ship’s captain gave the puppies as a gift to his rescuers and they were later bred to various dogs in the area, including Otterhounds, Flat-Coated Retrievers, and Curly-Coated Retrievers, to eventually produce the Chesapeake Bay Retriever we know today.

A strongly built dog, the Chessie stands 24 inches at the withers, and weighs up to 80 pounds. They are outstanding swimmers, able to traverse the roughest of waterways. They have a dense double coat, oily outside, and downy underneath, which gives them excellent protection against the elements. Coat colors range from brown to red-brown.

The breed lacks the happy-go-lucky, outgoing personality of other retrievers, like Labradors or Goldens. Generally, they are loyal and protective of their immediate family, but reserved and alert around strangers.

These are confident, independent dogs who are not as keen to please their owners as, say, a Labrador would be. They are therefore not a good choice for someone who has limited experience with dogs. A Chesapeake will do better with a handler that is assertive, but even-handed.

They can do well as a family pet for an active family, but are better suited to older children, and will also have to be socialised with other pets.

Like most purebred dogs, the Chesapeake Bay Retriever is not immune to inherited health problems. They suffer from hip dysplasia, cataracts, progressive retinal atrophy, and the haemophilia known as, Von Willebrand’s Disease.

Like many large breeds, they may suffer bloat or gastric torsion. Feeding the dog small, regular meals rather than one large meal per day can help prevent this. Chessies live on average for 10 to 12 years.

Grooming is very easy. The coat has a unique oily texture and requires only a weekly brush to keep it in good condition. Despite the distinctive doggy odor the dog gives off it should not be bathed too often, as this strips protective oils from the coat.

This is not the easiest dog to train. They are smart, but also strong-willed, which means they won’t follow an instruction just because you say so. Strong leadership is very important if you want to succeed with training, but you’ll also need to keep things positive and reward based to get results.

If your thinking of adopting a Chesapeake Bay Retriever you’ll have to be prepared for lots of activity. These are high energy dogs, requiring a great deal of exercise. A long daily walk is an absolute must, while your Chessie will appreciate any opportunity for a good swim.

Good names for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever can be hard to find. The best advice is to search one of the online dog names, sites, and my personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ. This site has thousands of excellent dog names, including a mega-database of female dog names to pick from.

The Australian Shepherd, affectionately known as the “Aussie” is a sheep herding dog that originated in the Pyrenees Mountains, between France and Spain. Yes, you read that correctly, the Australian Shepherd is not an Australian breed at all. These dogs were in fact brought to Australia by Basque immigrants, and when some of their descendants later moved on to America, their dogs went with them.

From then on the breed started to be called the Australian Shepherd, but prior to that, the Aussie went by a number of other names, including Spanish Shepherd, Pastor Dog, Bob-Tail, and Blue Heeler.

These extremely intelligent, enthusiastic, people-loving dogs make excellent pets – for the right owner. That owner needs to be an active, outdoor person who is prepared to give the dog the physical exercise it demands. An Aussie lives to work, and one that is under-exercised, and under-stimulated mentally, soon develops behavioral problems.

You should also be aware that the herding instinct is still very strong in the Aussie Shepherd, so don’t be surprised if the dog tries to herd you and your family.

The Australian Shepherd is a confident, self-assured and protective breed. They do tend to be somewhat cautious around strangers, but this should not be interpreted as timidity, they are just naturally wary.

They have a natural exuberance, but are very demanding of attention. The worst thing you can do to an Aussie is to exclude him from family activities and relegate him to the back yard. If you’re not able to give him your full attention, then this is not the dog for you.

But if you do have time to spend with your dog, you’re in for a real treat. The Aussie Shepherd is a dream to train. These dogs learn quickly and love to please. They excel at a myriad of dog sports, including fly ball, agility trials and advanced dog obedience training. Aussies are willing and capable students, and time spent training serves multiple purposes. It provides your dog with mental and physical stimulation, gives him a job and a purpose, and helps to build the bond between you.

Always use a positive form of training, like clicker training, with your dog. The pay-off will be a happy, balanced and fulfilled dog who can do some truly amazing stuff. Just think how impressed your friends and family will be.

The Australian Shepherd is a robust, healthy breed of dog. Nonetheless, there are some common health concerns with the breed including back, hip and eye problems. Epilepsy is also a concern. The average lifespan for the breed is twelve and a half years.

Finding puppy names, for your Australian Shepherd is an easy task, when you know where to look. My recommendation is puppy names hq.com, a site with an extensive database of dog names including 1000s of male dog names to choose from.

There are many ways to earn money. But, this entire article is on the basics of pet sitting. One of the biggest things on a pet owners mind when he or she is about to go on a trip is the care of their animals. People can get very attached to a specific pet(s), and they want that animal to be in the best of care while they are gone.

Water is the most important substance to keep animals, particularly dogs, full of. Dehydration will start after 24 hours of not drinking water, and after one to three days, the animal will go into critical condition, and it’s possibly that the result will be death. Keep a bowl of water available at all times, even while you aren’t there. By doing this, you are allowing the animal to come and go as it pleases.

Food is another essential. Dogs can go three to give days without eating. I am stressing “dogs” above any other animal because they are the most common pet, and the most common animal to be watched while the owner(s) are out of town.

Over feeding is a big problem for some dogs. Feed the dog the proper amount of food depending on the breed. Weight gain not only immobilizes the animal, but also shortens their life span. Do not keep food down while you are gone. This will tempt the animal, dogs especially, to over eat. Feed them proportionally.

For those who are thinking about earning money as a pet sitter, posting your services on one of the numerous babysitter registries is a great way to launch your career. They are very affordable for people looking to employ sitters for both children and pets, with plenty of great discounts offered at sites like SitterSavings.com.

Exercise is also extremely important in a dog’s life. It not only keeps them looking and feeling healthy, but it provides a happier, longer life. Over weight animals can die years before they are expected to. And, dog’s love to get out of the house and explore nature! Walk the dog at least once a day while pet sitting them!

If you are unsure about the amount of “play time” you will be able to contribute, it might be a better idea to tell have the owner find someone else for the job. Although you might want the money, think about the dog’s feelings. What would be better for them?

Every dog or cat person knows that dogs and cats can be fantastic to have around the house, but that they can also be a lot of work. A pet cannot tell its owner whether it is sick or injured, so a pet owner must always be on the look out for potential problems.

One of the big problems that many people have is pet disease and illness. Our pets are not as cautious about the outside environment as we are. They will leap into bushes and run through trees and grass without a moments hesitation. Unfortunately, this leaves them vulnerable to fleas and ticks. Dogs and cats do not have the ability to pull fleas and ticks off of their own backs. Unfortunately, they also do not possess the ability to ask us for help.

This is why it is important that you take advantage of a good cat or dog flea treatment for your pet. A proper treatment will ensure that our pets do not become infested with these disease carrying bugs. Did you know that fleas can carry diseases more deadly than ticks. With ticks we have to worry about Lyme disease as well as a few less well known diseases.

The sad fact is however, that fleas can carry the plague as well as many other terrible diseases. These fleas can move from your dog or cat onto you. You can get these diseases and the health of your entire family can quickly become compromised. For those of you with fleas in your house right now, make sure you try hard to get rid of them. Buy a dog flea treatment now for your pet and then begin to spray the rest of your home.

You’ll want to be certain that all of your clothing, furniture, and carpets are all searched for fleas. Sprays can be purchased to take care of most areas and a simple run through the washing machine can take care of your clothing and your linens.

Keep in mind that you can get rid of both fleas and ticks with one multi purpose dog flea treatment. While not all flea or tick treatments will kill both, many will. Kill two enemies with one treatment by making sure you get a treatment that attacks both problems.

If you’d like more details on dog flea treatment or flea and tick diseases, you could check out my blog. There you can find all the information you need to have a successful purchase.

A clicker may be a compact handheld noisemaker that makes a distinct “click” when it is pressed. Clicker instruction may be a subset or restricted application of OPERANT CONDITIONING.

REFERENCE For Article Click Here Dog Training Tips, Affordable Dog Boarder

Clicker instruction is simply a tool that may be applied in operant conditioning. A clicker has also been named a bridge or a marker. Clicker instruction has been successfully applied in animal instruction more than the last couple of decades. More than 140 unique species have already been successfully “clicker trained”. Lots of with the animals you have noticed in movies/theatrical appearances or commercials have already been clicker trained.

To put it very generally, whenever an animal performs a desired action, the handler need to instantly click with a hand held clicker, then deliver a reward the animal desires (which include a tasty treat). The animal will associate the click as a marker that clues the animal when it does a precise action, they’re going to get a reward.
What exactly is Operant Conditioning (O C) ?

OC states that substantially of behavior is below manage of it’s consequences. (OC types an association in between undertaking a specific behavior plus a consequence). You’ll find 4 possible consequences to any behavior. They may be:

1. Anything Superior can start off or be presented (good reinforcement)
2. Anything Superior can finish or be taken away (damaging punishment)
three. Anything Bad can start off or be presented (good punishment) 4.Anything Bad can finish or be taken away (damaging reinforcement)

Consequences need to be immediate or clearly linked towards the behavior. With verbal humans, we can explain the connection in between the consequence plus the behavior, even if they are separated by a long length of time. For example, you may tell a friend that you will invest in dinner for them due to the fact they helped you perform on your auto last week or a parent may well explain that the kid can’t go to the films as a result of his poor grades. With very young children, other humans who really don’t have verbal skills, and animals, you can’t explain the connection in between the consequence plus the behavior. For the animal, the consequence has to be immediate. The option to perform close to this need for immediacy would be to use a bridge (a clicker) to “mark” a behavior after which deliver the consequence.
What exactly is good reinforcement?

Positive reinforcement may be the use of rewards (whatever an animal desires, which include food or a favorite toy) to obtain an animal to continually perform a desired behavior, which include sitting, laying down or shaking a paw. Rewards need to
be relevant (useful) towards the unique animal. Some dogs may possibly enjoy a specific brand of treat although other folks may possibly turn their noses up at it.
What exactly is damaging reinforcement?

Damaging reinforcement is while you take away anything poor to obtain a desired behavior to raise. Once you get into a auto, plus the seatbelt warning alarm makes a continued high pitch ring till you fasten your seat belt, the auto
manufacturers are using damaging reinforcement. The alarm stops once you fasten your seat belt, which will raise the most likely hood of you fastening the seatbelt within the long term. Damaging reinforcement can result in fear responses in an animal and can actually “shut” the animal down. It is not an proper tool to use in instruction something new to your animal.
What exactly is good punishment?

Positive punishment may be the use of verbal scolding or physical ‘punishment’ to obtain an animal to quit undertaking an undesirable behavior. Positive punishment can result in aggression, as it promotes a fear-based response in an animal. Animals understand quicker by getting rewarded for a specific action rather than getting punished.
What exactly is damaging punishment?

Damaging Punishment is taking away an anticipated reward. An example will be picking up the dog’s leash to go for a walk but putting it down the second the dog jumps or barks at you. Damaging punishment will be applied to teach self
manage in animals as it ordinarily only final results in some frustration at initially till the animal understands he can make the “good” issue come back by acting
appropriately.
My dog is afraid with the clicker

For those who notice the animal is shying away from the click (the sound is unfamiliar and may possibly frighten a stressed out dog), you can either muffle the sound so that it’s not as loud, or discontinue the clicker session (if the animal appears to be very stressed, tail tucked, fearful physique language, avoiding). Some ways of muffling the ‘click’ are as follows:

* Hide the clicker behind your back
* Spot the clicker within your pocket. Click from inside your pocket.
* Wrap the clicker in a compact towel

Do I have to click and treat every single time?

Yes!!! You are conditioning your dog to respond towards the clicker after which you might be using the clicker to mark behaviors. Don’t forget to click and instantly reward following every thriving behavior that you just are attempting to teach. Don’t click after which fudge on the reward. You should deliver a reward towards the animal every single time you click. Don’t click several occasions in a row after which offer you a single single reward. The ratio is a single click = a single reward. Do
NOT point the clicker at your dog like a remote manage. Hold your hand casually at your side and click when your dog does anything you wish to reinforce (really don’t forget to instantly reward the dog too!)
Why Cannot I use my voice rather with the clicker?

SOURCE For Article Click Here Puppy Training

The “click” from a clicker may be a very distinguishable sound. The click is non-emotional, has the same pitch and tone and is unique than other sounds
within the atmosphere. Voices vary extensively from person to person. The click will stay the same irrespective of who utilizes the clicker.

AMY Hiatt
SLC Dog Sitter.com
5148 West Cherrywood Lane
Salt Lake City, Utah 84116

Anyone that owns a small pet understands that animals normally have challenges dealing with changes. This can be particularly true when you’re talking about changes like relocating to a brand new home. Due to the fact animals cannot speak, it is problematic to help keep life for your animal secure although so much is altering about them. Cats are particularly sensitive to changes like individuals linked to relocating. As a result, it is as much as you as an owner to help keep them safe and secure in order that they don’t suffer from stress and anxiety associated challenges if you find yourself relocating to a brand new home.

One of the greatest things that can be done when relocating along with your cat would be to stay away from bringing a lot of brand new people in to the home. The significantly less brand new aromas that your cat has to manage, the better off they will be. You’ll be able to conserve funds by choosing a significantly less intrusive relocating method also. A one way moving truck rental, for instance, tends to make it simple to have your things move by yourself routine and along with your very own means. You do not need to shell out others to move your things for you, so you do not need to bother about people coming in and out of your home and bothering your animals.

Nevertheless, relocating day is something that you simply should have a look at meticulously so that you can plan in advance and keep your cat secure throughout. It is a great idea to obvious out a space for your small pet in order that they can be safe although the doorways are getting opened and closed. There is no promise that your animal is not going to run out of the door although a box is getting moved, so take into account keeping your cat in an empty space with meals, h2o, bedding, along with a few of cat toys. Not just will this keep your animal secure throughout the day, however it will keep them away from your disarray of relocating that may result in them big quantities of stress and anxiety.

Relocating to a brand new home along with your cat just isn’t an not possible issue to complete. Certain, it may well take a bit of time and effort, but you should easily have the ability to have your things and your house animals moved with all the assist for a moving truck rental. Not just can you conserve funds, but you’ll tremendously decrease the stress and anxiety that you simply and your house animals feel on relocating day. As a result, keep these things in thoughts the following time that you simply are all set to move so that you can enjoy the process rather than dreading it.

Dog dress up can be done by anyone, not just celebrities. Elle Woods (Reese Witherspoon) in the movie Legally Blonde, as well as Paris Hilton, have proved that dogs can be more than pets to people. They can be your companion fashionista. Miniature clothes look particularly good on dogs. If you’re looking for fun or funny outfits, here are some recommendations for you.

Funny Dog Outfits – 3 Ideas

1. Summer and Spring Clothes
You know the weather is getting warmer when you see people and their dogs wearing short sleeved and cotton tee shirts. Funny and cute customized shirts can be ordered for your dog. Add funny messages to the shirts to make your dog stand out and amuse the people who see him

If you’re not into shirts, go for tank tops. Hot weather entails shorter clothes, and this is the time to wear those outfits. For dogs, however, tank tops can provide additional protection from the sun’s harmful rays. If you’re wondering which materials are perfect for summer or spring, it’s cotton.

2. Outfits that Match
Take your cue from Elle Woods and dress your dog in colors that match your outfit for the day. This is easily done if most of your dresses are custom made. If you have a female dog, you can have dresses for both of you made from the same material. This goes for male owner-male dog combos too. Both you and your dog can wear matching shades. Your male dog can also act as your escort in a party if you’re female. You can also buy a fake mustache for him to look more manly.

3. Accessories Instead of Clothes
Let’s admit, it’s expensive to keep buying customized funny clothes for your dog, so you can simply opt for accessories instead. Any old white shirt on your dog would look unique if he uses a different scarf to match the shirt every day. Hats and bonnets are examples of funny dog accessories to go with his outfits.

Like on humans, the outfits need to fit well on your dogs. When you take your dog to the tailor for a fitting, you need to bring your harness with you. Consider comfortable fabric so that your dog will not feel irritated when he’s wearing clothes. Outfits that are too tight can make your dogs irritable. Most important of all, make sure your dog is open to wearing the outfits you choose for him.

Let check out the following website for more funny dog outfits information.

Canines are affected everyday with heartworm disease and if not treated properly can be deadly. The disease spreads when a mosquito bites an infected dog and then bites a healthy one. When this insect bites an infected dog, it then becomes a carrier that deposits the illness when biting another one. From here they grow and reproduce. There are preventions that prove beneficial in keeping your pet safe. Thus the disease moves on to the next victim. There are many ways to prevent this problem and veterinarians urge owners to take action.

As they are exposed to wildlife one must be sure they avoid contact with stray or undomesticated animals. Dog parks are a breeding ground for heartworm disease, especially those with little upkeep. Canines are famous for eating dead rabbits, rodents and birds. These carcasses carry immature worms and you should implement prevention by always watching what your animal consumes. Carcasses carry immature worms and you should be sure to prevent dogs from eating things such as rabbits, rodents and birds. Your local veterinarian can prescribe an effective heartworm vaccine. These injections should be given on a specific day every month during mosquito breeding season.

It needs to be administered during mosquito breeding season on the same day each month. It needs to be administered on the same day each month during mosquito breeding season. This destroys the heartworm larvae, preventing them from maturing. Veterinarians warn that companies purchase these drugs illegally and then resell them to the consumer. Monthly heartworm prevention has other benefits such as killing intestinal parasites and flea eggs. Preventative treatments can only begin if your dog has tested negative to heartworms.

Before beginning preventative treatments, have your dog tested to make sure they are healthy and free of heartworms. The test consists of a veterinarian taking a few drops of blood and sending it off to a lab. Only adult dogs are tested since the detection takes 6 months after exposure. Veterinarians may want your canine tested each year depending on where you reside.

People that live around the Atlantic and Pacific oceans should follow this advice due to the high volume of mosquitoes. Dogs with heartworm disease will demonstrate signs of congestive heart failure and treatment may not always be effective. Preventative steps will help your dog live a long and healthy life.

Visit this website for information on Heartgard Plus For Dog. And, you can also treat your dogs with personalized dog collar too. These collars also comes with anti-worm effect too.