Rsquo Archives - Edie MacKenzie

Brittany All About The Breed

January 23, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

The Brittany, sometimes referred to as the Brittany Spaniel, is a versatile sporting dog, that is also popular as a companion and family pet, due to its wonderful temperament. The name comes from the French province of Brittany where the breed originated. Unfortunately, much of the early breed records no longer exist, but what is clear is that the Brittany has always been used as a retriever and pointer by bird hunters.

The breed was first shown at the Paris Dog Show in 1900, and was introduced to the United States in the 1920’s. AKC recognition followed in 1934.These athletic, medium-sized dogs have a compact build, with long legs. The tailed is either naturally short, or may be docked, although docking is now outlawed in many countries. Acceptable coat colors are The coat can be orange and white coat, liver and white, orange roan, liver roan, or black and white. (NOTE: The AKC considers black and white coats a fault, although all other registries accept it).

These are wonderfully balanced dogs, energetic, intelligent and affectionate. They bond closely with their human ‘pack’, and are know to get on with everyone, and to have a special affinity with children.They are highly intelligent dogs, which makes training very easy. They are however, quite sensitive and don’t respond well to harsh words or rough treatment.

Brittanys are generous with their affection, although they often form a special attachment to a particular person. They also get on well with canine and non-canine pets, although you will have to watch them around pet birds.

Brittanys are generally healthy, robust dogs who suffer from few health problems. They may however be prone to ear infections, hip dysplasia and epilepsy. Average lifespan for the breed is 12 – 14 years. Grooming is easy, requiring only a brush down a few times per week to keep the coat looking its best. Dogs that spend time in open fields will need to be checked regularly for ticks, and you’ll also have to remove, grass seeds, burrs and mats from the coat.

A big plus with this breed is that they are single coated, and therefore shed very little.

These are active, energetic dogs who require a lot of exercise to keep them happy. With sufficient exercise, they can live in an apartment, although it is not really recommended. A much better living arrangement is a house with a large garden, or better still, the countryside. Dogs that lack physical and mental stimulation often develop behavioral problems, and the Brittany will be no different. However, for the right owner, this dog will be a wonderful pet.

Good dog names can be hard to find. The best advice is to try one of the online puppy names, sites. My personal favorite is Puppy Names HQ, a site that has tons of excellent dog names to pick from, including thousands of cute dog names.

Afghan Hound All About The Breed

January 18, 2012 by admin Leave a Comment

With the looks of a glamor model, and the physique of an athlete, the Afghan is an instantly recognizable dog breed.

These impressive dogs can be as tall as 29 inches at the shoulder and commonly weigh up to 58 pounds. They have an impressive coat that is long, sleek and lustrous. Any color is permitted within the breed standard, although white markings are not allowed.

Another common, characteristic is a black facemask, while some dogs also have a long Manchu-like moustache, called a ‘mandarin’. As the name suggests, the breed originated in Afghanistan where they were used for hunting small game. They were originally introduced to the west in the 19th century, but by the end of the First World War had all but disappeared.

Then in the 1920’s several dogs were brought to Scotland as breeding stock. These dogs caused quite a stir on the dog show circuit and were soon recognized by the major international kennel clubs. Virtually all of the Afghans we see today, descend directly from this group.

Afghans are an ancient breed, and have genetic markers in common with wolves, making them close descendants of the original domesticated dogs.The Afghan temperament is a perfect match for its stylish looks. They are known to be aloof, stand-offish, and have even been described as ‘snobbish’. They are intelligent dogs, but with a stubbornness that makes them a challenge to train.

Some even describe their temperament as cat-like, in their ability to totally disregard you. Put it this way, an Afghan will obey if he sees a good reason to, otherwise he just won’t.

That aside, the Afghan is still an excellent pet that forms close bonds with its immediate human ‘pack’. They just take a while to accept strangers, and will usually ignore someone who hasn’t earned their trust.

Like most other sight hound breeds, the Afghan can be quite lazy. They enjoy nothing more than curling up on the couch for a good nap, and normally see no reason to exert themselves.

Outdoors though, it’s an entirely different story. The hunting instinct kicks in and they will chase anything that moves, small animals in particular.The Afghan may look glamorous, but it is no softie. These are strong healthy dogs who have very few serious health problems. The major health issues relate to the eyes, with cataracts a particular problem.

If you were thinking that the luxuriant coat requires a lot of work, you’d be right. The Afghan is a high maintenance dog that must be brushed daily. In addition you’ll need to to have the hair trimmed regularly in order for it to keep its shape.

Afghans were bred for hunting, but despite this are not really suited to outdoor living. Their impressive coat provides very little protection in a cold climate, and besides that they simply prefer to be sleeping on the couch than under the stars.

Good names for a Afghan Hound 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 male dog names to pick from.

Essential Dog Walking Information and Advice

December 29, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Dogs need exercise, and the activity they love more than any other is walking. However, many dog owners shirk the responsibility. Perhaps they simply don’t have time, or maybe they don’t realize how important it is to walk their dogs.

Others give it a go, but give up after being hauled around the neighborhood one time too often by an unruly dog. If any of the aforementioned scenarios describes you, pay attention, because I’d like to share a piece of information that every dog owner should know.

“Dogs must be walked!”

Any dog trainer will tell you that daily exercise is a must for all dogs. For some, 30 minutes to an hour may be enough, for others 2 hours will just be getting started. But the point is they all need exercise, and walking should be the core component of that.

But dog walking involves more than a just leashing your dog and setting off. Some simple guidelines will make it a lot easier for you, and more enjoyable for the dog.

Here are some best practices you can follow;

* Don’t walk your dog during the hottest time of the day as they overheat quite easily. If you need to walk when it’s hot be sure to have some water along for the dog to drink.

* Don’t allow your dog to walk in front of you or he may get the idea that he is the pack leader and this will encourage him to pull. Always walk with the dog by your side.

* Don’t pull back on the lead because this will just encourage your dog to pull back. Try to always keep a relaxed grip, and if your dog does pull, stop and wait for him to calm down before continuing.

* Maintain control of the walk. Don’t allow you dog to dictate direction and particularly when to stop. Sniffing around and marking should only happen when you allow it.

* Where possible, avoid other dogs. You have no idea of another dog’s temperament and matters can quickly get out of hand. If your dog is small, pick him up if a big dog approaches aggressively, if you have a big dog just walk in a different direction and avoid a confrontation.

You also don’t know the health status of dogs you come across. An infected dog can pass on a serious disease to your dog.

* The right leash or collar. Pick a leash / collar combination that is strong enough to keep the dog in check, but still comfortable for him to wear. Also ensure that your dog wears his id tags. You never know when he might slip his leash.

If your dog does escape, the id tag will hopefully result in him being returned safely. For an extra level of security you may also want to have your dog micro-chipped.

* Finally, have fun! Walking your dog can be a really fun activity if you approach it in the right way. It’s one of the best ways of bonding with your dog, it’s an excellent work out for both of you, and your dog will be calmer and more obedient. All of that for just an hour of your time a day.

To find out more about dog training tips, dog breeds a-z, dog health and other useful dog info visit www.dogsanddogtraining.com

What Experts Say About Positive Dog Training

December 27, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Do you need to do some dog training with your dog or puppy, but you don’t have a lot of time to spare and you want to do something that gets good results? Whether it’s for housetraining a puppy, teaching a dog not to pull on leash or jump up on guests, or for any of the many other training challenges that can come up when you live with a dog, do find out about the methods that use rewards for quick learning.

Positive Reinforcement Dog Training

Dogs love it, and so their enthusiasm makes the training go faster. You can use a very small bit of food as a reward, and that is perhaps most common, but you can also use some friendly rubbing of your dog’s body in his favorite spots, or you could play ball together. What you use depends on what you have handy… anything the dog likes can be used as a positive reinforcement.

It’s up to you whether you even touch the dog or not during training of this sort. Because some dogs have been trained in very forceful ways, they may have become wary of your hands.

Says positive training pioneer Dr. Ian Dunbar, “I have always taught people to never touch a dog to force him to comply, but rather, to touch him afterwards as a reward if that’s what he enjoys.” Dr. Dunbar, a veterinarian turned dog trainer, founded the Association of Pet Dog Trainers which is an international organization of dog trainers committed to using positive reinforcement dog training methods. Dr. Dunbar was featured in a book by Cesar Millan, Cesar’s Rules.

Other well-known dog trainers agree. “Training a dog using dominance causes the dog to respond out of fear, which results in psychological problems for the dog, does not identify or solve the root problem, and ultimately damages the owner-dog relationship,” says dog trainer and star of the television show It’s Me or the Dog, Victoria Stilwell.

So back to you and your dog. What do you want to work on next? Does your dog need housetraining? Does he need to learn to walk nicely on a leash when you go out in public with him? Do you want to teach him to sit reliably, to stay until given a release word like “Okay!’ or to come when called? If you would like to try easy, enjoyable methods with your pooch, learn more about positive dog training.

Ideal Dog Training Iowa

December 3, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

For anyone who is looking for assistance with dog training Iowa, That’s My Dog! can supply assistance with all your dog training needs. For dogs that struggle with good manners we have programs that teach you tips on how to grow to be a much more successful leader. By teaching your pet to come when called, walk nicely on a leash and listen whenever you need them to you will develop a considerably improved relationship.

Learning to have a better dog involves having the right instructors. Our specialty at That’s My Dog! of having high expectations calls for our trainers to have a variety of certifications and experiences. The balanced method to dog training Iowa can provide you with fundamental obedience and behavior modification programs. Having a balance in your dog training|coaching} instruction means you’ll learn tips on how to interrupt the behaviors you don’t want (like barking or jumping up) and tips on how to positively reinforce the behaviors you do want (like being quiet and sitting for attention) This balance gives you rapid results and assists your dog to learn the way to behave appropriately even in distracting environments. Even the most feisty Fidos have shown terrific improvement.

Dog training Iowa programs assist you to have a far better dog that you can delight in a lot more and be proud of their behavior. Our full service dog training facility is located in Dubuque, Iowa and we welcome dogs from around the state to train with us. You may choose private lesson packages, day school programs or our exclusive board and train option. The programs offer training for your dog in real world situations and around real distractions like other dogs, other people and plenty of activity. Having this balance in the training environment means you’ll have a dog that listens to you whenever you really need him to, not just when he wants to. When you are ready to have an incredible dog look to our Iowa dog training solutions; our evaluations are always free of charge.

Dog Training Iowa

Reasons to Buy a Dog Training Collar

October 4, 2011 by admin Leave a Comment

Is your dog barking too much? If so, then you should definitely consider a Dog Training Collar. There are various types of anti barking devices or methods available, but these training collars are the most effective.
Here are some of the drawbacks of other types of anti-barking tools, and why an anti-barking collar has an edge over them:.

1. Other tools are not safe for the dog

It is sadly, but there are anti barking devices that are not safe to use for your dog.
They could cause an array of health problems, which is definitely a situation that you want to avoid. On the other hand, anti-barking collars provide a stimulus that’s just strong enough to get your dog’s attention. If you have your dog wearing such a collar you don’t need to worry about injuries or other health problems.
You are concerned for your dog’s safety all day long, including the times when you are training it.
No dog was injured until present because it was wearing a Dog Training Collar.

2. Not all products are as effective

There are many ineffective products or methods on the dog training market.
Getting the expected results is what really matters for any training method or equipment.
On the other hand, studies show that an anti-barking collar can be one of the most effective tools for reducing your dog’s excessive barking. How effective are these collars?

There are models of dog training collars that have proven to eliminate almost 90% of the excessive barking.
This is quite an impressive success rate for any type of behavior alteration product.

3. They’re unaffordable.
If you don’t mind spending hundreds of thousands of dollars, then options such as an obedience training school could be a viable option. On the other hand, you should also consider that the success rate of such schools could be substantially lower than for anti-barking collars. In the same time, a dog owner can easily find a low price anti bark collar, and depending on the type, it may cost less than $100.
The best choice is the training collar if one considers both the effectiveness and the price of the product.

4. They may be considered cruel

It’s important to note that while certain anti-barking techniques are effective, they’re also inhumane. Most of dog owners love their pets and don’t want to make them suffer any pain or discomfort while undergoing anti-barking training. The training collars are equipped to deliver the dog quite slight aversive stimuli.
After the warning beeps, they can deliver ultrasounds pulses or citronella oil.
All dog owners can be 100% sure such types of collars humane and effective.

5. They’re complex.

Regular dog owners want to easy understand the functioning and use of the anti barking devices or methods they buy.
Otherwise, it could be a hassle to use. In their contrast, you can easy understand how a training collar works.
It typically includes a microphone for detecting your dog’s barking, and a battery. When detecting the barking, a warning beep and a simple stimulus are delivered.
These simple training tools are really diminishing the excess of barking of the dog. That’s the mission that you want to accomplish.

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