Archives for May, 2009
The toy poodle dog breed is actually a smaller version of the medium sized poodle breed. For many kennel clubs, the poodle comes in only three sizes, large, medium and small. The toy poodle dog breed is in reality the one under the small size of the poodle breed. Depending on the genes of the small poodle breed, there can be even smaller sizes of the small breed. Many people like to call these miniature dog breed poodles as toys or tea cups breeds but these terms may not be recognized by some kennel clubs around the world.
Temperament Of The Toy Poodle Dog Breed
As with many toy breeds, the toy poodle dog breed is a particularly good dog as a companion dog. These breeds of dogs, in large, medium or small sizes are basically even tempered and lively. They are usually family oriented dogs, which mean that they do not just stick to one member of the family but they like to socialize and mingle with all family members. The toy poodle dog breed is also quite content to walk along with its owner and stay with him or her all the time.
While the toy poodle dog breed is bred to be a companion dog for the most part, it actually started out as a hunting dog or a retriever for water fowl. The breeds attractive coat and pleasant demeanor eventually made the toy poodle dog breed ideal as a companion or lap dog.
Intelligence
While the toy poodle dog breed can be livelier than the bigger versions, there is not much difference among the three sizes when it comes to play time. The poodle as a whole breed of dog, whether large or toy poodle dog breed, is highly intelligent. It is this aptitude to commands and training that makes them quite a favorite in circus acts and performances or shows. The ease of training the poodle has made it a favorite also with homeowners.
Care
Caring for your toy poodle dog breed is similar to the bigger versions of the poodle. Its coat needs regular trimming and brushing to avoid matting and tangles. The toy poodle dog breed is also susceptible to ear infections and other ear problems. Proper ear care is necessary for your pet’s health and well being. Poodles are also said to have hypoallergenic qualities, which is great for allergy sufferers, since their dander is kept at bay by their curls.
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May 14, 2009 | | Dog Breeds
Many people pick a small dog as a pet for their family because of the ease of obedience training small dogs to be good house pets. Small dog breed obedience training is considered simpler than obedience training other types of dogs because small dogs are intelligent, attentive, easier to control, and are eager to please their masters. There are two different methods of small dog breed obedience training that are commonly used and each type of obedience training has its pros and cons so masters will need to pick the best small dog breed obedience training method for them and their pet.
Professional Obedience Training
There are many professional dog instructors that have experience in small dog breed obedience training and can teach the dog the things that the master wants them to learn. Professional instructors often have years of experience and can obtain results quickly, depending on the dog. They can also devote more of their time to small dog breed obedience training because it is their job and they are getting paid to teach the dog properly.
The biggest disadvantage of choosing a professional for small dog breed obedience training is the cost, which can cost hundreds of dollars depending on how long the obedience training takes. Small dog breed obedience training will take place when the instructor is available, which may be difficult to schedule if the master works long or abnormal hours. There are some obedience training centers that will keep the small dog at their facility for several weeks to complete the obedience training quickly, but the master will not be present for the sessions and may forget how to reinforce the obedience training that the dog received.
Personal Obedience Training
Many people train their small dogs themselves by using obedience training materials and techniques created by professional dog instructors. Obedience training the dog personally is preferred because it allows the obedience training to be done at a rate that is comfortable for both the dog and the master. It also allows the small dog breed obedience training to take place at a time that is convenient for the master, as daily life may make it hard to devote the same amount of time to obedience training the dog every day.
Small dog breed obedience training takes a great deal of dedication on the part of the master to teach the dog everything that they need to know to make good house pets. Teaching a small dog how to perform certain actions takes repetition and positive reinforcement. The dog will need to learn what is expected of them and how to signal certain desires in ways that the master understands. Small dog breed obedience training also takes patience as some things are learned faster than others and the techniques used for teaching the dog a task may need to be revised and tailored to each individual dog.
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May 14, 2009 | | Dog Breeds, Dog Obedience
There are many different types of dog breed available for adoption today and each of the different types has different qualities. This makes the decision of choosing a particular breed difficult because there are many things that need to be taken into consideration. There are a few things that should be focused on when choosing a dog breed and keeping these items in mind can make your decision much easier.
Cost
There are a number of different cost ranges that a dog breed can fall into when purchasing the dog from a breeder or a pet store. Some exotic small dog breed types are much more expensive to purchase than common breeds that can be found anywhere. Many people make the decision of which dog breed is best for their needs based on the cost of the breed and where the breed will be obtained from.
It is possible to find some deals on the cost of the dog breed you have chosen. Many rescue agencies have dogs that they are willing to adopt out for a very low price and some small breeders will have great dog breed available for a reasonable cost as well. In some cases, the person will be about to find the breed that they want at the local pound.
The Status Of The Breed
Another choice that will have to be made is what level of status is acceptable in the dog breed that is chosen. Some breed that cost less will be of a lower status than the more expensive breeds, but many people do not care about the status of their pets. If the dog breed will not be used in shows then the status of the breed may not even factor into the choice of which breed to choose. Consumers must be careful about the dog breed that is chosen because some of the purebred and exotic mixed breeds can have hereditary health problems that are common to the breed.
Ease Of Care And Grooming
Many people are concerned about the amount of effort that it would take to care and groom their dog breed and look for the dogs that would be easiest to care for and groom on a regular basis. Most types of breeds that have long coats can be difficult to groom because the hair can get tangled or matted so many people choose short haired breeds because they are much easier to care for and groom over the years. Making a choice of what dog breed is best for your needs can be a difficult decision, but if each of these criteria is carefully considered, you will be able to find the dog breed that is right for you.
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May 14, 2009 | | Dog Breeds
The AKC (which stands for American Kennel Club) is the most known registry of pureblood pedigrees in the United States of America. It is also famous for hosting several dog related events, of which the most famous is the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, held every year in New York. This show is so famous that breeds that win it increase greatly in demand that year.
However, despite that, the main purpose of AKC is to register dogs and their pedigrees, which are commonly known as AKC dog breeds. It is interesting to notice that the list of accepted AKC dog breeds doesn’t include all dog breeds recognized by other important kennel clubs. Although there isn’t an official reason for this, it is believed that the list of accepted AKC dog breeds is kept low on purpose in order to reduce participants to the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show, which tends to be overwhelmed with applications.
In any case, the requirements to register a dog with the AKC under one of the AKC dog breeds are quite simple compared to the strict standards that other kennel clubs. A dog owner needs to bring his or her dog and show proof that its parents are also registered under one of the approved AKC dog breeds. Of course, both parents have to belong to the same breed. The litter in which the dog was born has to be registered as well.
There are several AKC dog breeds, with an unsurprising emphasis on American dogs. Nevertheless, the most common AKC dog breeds aren’t of American origin. The most common one is Canadian, while the second most common one is of British origin.
Labrador Retriever. This is the most famous of the AKC dog breeds at the moment. Although it was extensively used in bird hunting in its origins, it’s one of the best AKC dog breeds when it comes to behavior. They are very intelligent and playful. They enjoy activity and exercise, including swimming and water. They get along very easily with humans, even those that are strangers to them, and they don’t bark a lot.
Yorkshire Terrier. Unlike the Labrador Retriever, this small dog is loved mostly because of its small size and beautiful hair. They make excellent companion pets, mostly because they need little exercise, they can live in a small space, and because their intelligence makes them understand simple commands very easily.
If you would like to know more about AKC dog breeds, you can always visit their webpage, where you can find the office nearest to your location.
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May 14, 2009 | | Dog Breeds
One the most remarkable features about adopting a dog from the animal shelter is the diversity in the types of dogs that are available, their size, as well as the different temperaments. It is truly a fun experience for the family that is intent on going home with a newly adopted dog to choose from hundreds of different mixed breeds, all with interesting characteristics.
Another positive note about adopting a dog from the animal shelter is that most of the dogs are already older and housetrained. This is good news for the busy mom or dad who does not have the time to devote to a new puppy every day until the animal is properly socialized.
Not only are many of these dogs housetrained, a large majority have also had some level of obedience training. Between being house trained, been through obedience training, and already spayed or neutered, an adopted dog from the animal shelter is a prime choice for many people.
Congratulations, You’ve Made Your Selection, Now What?
Once you have selected a dog, be prepared to pay a small adoption fee. This money goes towards the support of the animals that have not yet found a home, as well as the staff that takes care of them.
In the past there have been numerous shelters of the Humane Society that have provided dog adoptions free of charge, however, through trial and error, they have come to learn that most people do not appreciate and take care of something they received for free.
It is sad to say, but the truth is that pet owners that do not mind parting ways with their money in exchange for an adopted dog will always treat the animal much better than those people who receive dogs at no charge. Many cases of neglect and abuse led authorities to owners that received their dogs for free.
Health Records
Many animal shelters provide a thorough history of the dog’s health records. But when it comes to stray dogs that end up at the shelter there is typically very little information that can be provided. Regardless if the dog you choose for adoption has detailed health records or not, you should always take him to the veterinarian immediately for a checkup.
Arrive at the veterinarian’s office with not only the medical history that the adoption agency supplied you with, but also a sample of the dogs fecal matter for tests that the vet will give. There should also be both vaccination and worming information included with dates and any product that was used at the animal shelter. If for some reason you are unclear if the dog has been vaccinated or not, it never hurts to re-vaccinate him.
Having your adopted dog vaccinated a second time, if need be, is a much safer procedure than assuming he is clean and free of diseases which could end up harming his life. And unfortunately, most shelters are overcrowded and may expose dogs to more communicable diseases than other kennels. Therefore, it is that much more essential to have a prompt, detailed examination and vaccination of your newly adopted dog.
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May 14, 2009 | | Adoption
Be aware that some of the dogs that are up for adoption at your local animal shelter are there for reasons that have to do with specific behavior issues. For example, many of these dogs may have had difficulty with housetraining, messy grooming needs, noisiness, not getting along with other pets or children, hyperactivity, biting, or destructiveness.
These are all typical reasons why most dogs are given up for adoption. Should any of these characteristics prove to come to light with your dog that you have selected when he is home, the best advice is to consult with a professional dog trainer who specializes in adopted dogs. He or she will be able to help solve the problem for you.
However, as what happens just as frequently, a dog is routinely placed for adoption simply due to a lack of space when the owner moves from a large home into a smaller apartment or condominium. And there are reasons of children. Oftentimes puppies are purchased is nothing more than a gift for the kids. But what happens when the children get bored and do not want to take care of the dog anymore? You guess it, off to the animal shelter it goes!
Do Not Be One Of These Owners
When you are ready to take your newly adopted dog home, you should have already asked yourself a ton of questions about how you will take care of the animal.
Will he be an indoor dog or an outdoor dog? Do you have the necessary sleeping equipment for the outside? Do you intend on tying him down or putting up a fence in the yard? Is he fixed already? If not, then do you plan on having him taken care of? Will he be living with other children? How about other animals?
Look For An Animal Shelter With Strict Adoption Policies
Quite often, animal shelters can be extremely selective about the homes in which the dogs will be going to. And it only makes sense to keep a dog at the shelter, or even have it euthanized, instead of it being brought into a destructive home that abuses the animal.
Many animal shelters make occasional visits to the homes in which dogs were brought to after being adopted. Some organizations require certificates from a veterinarian that validate vaccinations administered and proof that neutering surgery was performed.
Any dog or other pet that is adopted under these agreements are generally sent to good homes. It is quite obvious that anyone who does not agree to these guidelines would probably not make a good pet owner. As you can probably guess, these types of strict adoption rules send more dogs to better homes over the long haul. In fact, I wish every animal shelter operated in this fashion.
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May 14, 2009 | | Adoption
When selecting a dog at your local animal shelter it is important to keep in mind that, just like people, animals are not perfect. Whether a dog is a $10,000 show dog or a mixed puppy that is “free to a good home”, each will have specific faults in either their physical bodies or psychological makeup.
While it is important to select a dog that seems to be in good health and high spirits, no dog will come with a guarantee. Therefore, should your puppy or dog have minor issues such as parasites or kennel cough, try to be tolerant and understand that these are basic issues that most dogs will have.
With a little care and some extra help from you, your adopted shelter dog will overcome these shortcomings fairly quickly and then blossom into a strong, robust house dog that you can show off around the neighborhood.
And if you insist on finding a dog that must be perfect in all respects, may I politely suggest that you go to the nearest shopping mall and buy a stuffed toy dog, because that is as close to perfect as you will find!
Be Critical Of The Animal Facility
I am certainly not suggesting that you let all negative signs slide from the dogs you are trying to choose from at the animal shelter. In fact, besides common issues and idiosyncrasies that all dogs will have, you should have a good idea of what you are in for when selecting one of these animals and be on the lookout for signs of good health.
In addition, do not just focus on the condition of the dogs themselves. Pay attention to the animal shelter and do not hesitate to be critical about the condition of the center itself.
Is it clean, free from odor, and well-lighted? Do the dogs have adequate space or are they crammed with 2, 3, or more other dogs in the same small space? Is there plenty of fresh drinking water available? Does the shelter staff seem genuinely interested and enthused about the work they do? Take a look at the dogs when a staff member approaches them, does the animal respond positively or back away in a state of fear?
The answers to every one of these questions should be a blueprint in your mind that tells you whether or not these dogs are getting the care and treatment that would make them a good candidates to bring home to your family. There have been numerous shelters in the past that treated their animals very harshly and therefore caused more stress and emotional issues for the dogs when they were adopted.
And let’s not be too selfish here on the issue. Don’t just look around and decide that you don’t like the dogs and go home, help do something about the organization in question. If you are visiting an animal shelter with the interests of adopting a dog or puppy, and the entire place looks rundown with staff that obviously is mistreating the animals, call the local authorities to investigate further.
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May 14, 2009 | | Adoption
Unfortunately, many dogs, who are otherwise healthy and happy animals, wake up one morning to find themselves without a home and quickly become guests at the local animal shelter or pound. This happens every day, all around the world, when dog owners are not able or no longer willing to care for their pets.
At this very moment, there are millions of homeless animals that are confined to cages all over the country and awaiting the day they are put to sleep unless a generous family comes along to adopt them. Mixed breeds and purebreds; young puppies and aging dogs; male and female; all of these canines are available to anybody, and at a low adoption fee.
While purebred puppies and dogs are the exception to what’s available, rather than the rule, there always intelligent and beautiful mixed breed dogs that range from all ages, just waiting patiently and hopefully to be taken home.
If you are interested in a show dog or a rare purebred with the look of nobility, then the adoption arena is probably not your best choice. If this is the case then your best bet is to visit with a professional breeder or a kennel that allows you to purchase a dog that fits exactly what you are looking for.
Healthy Dogs Only Please
Selecting a dog from an adoption center is just like choosing a pet from any other source, with just a few additions. You want to make sure that the dog or puppy you are considering is healthy. His coat should be shiny and free from bare patches. The eyes should be bright and his attitude alert. Check for discharge coming out of the eyes or nose, which is not a sign of a healthy dog. Their should be no coughing, diarrhea, or vomiting.
The dog you are considering for adoption should be at a decent weight. Rest one of your hands across the dogs’ hip bones on his back. If you can feel the spine in between them, he is considered to be underweight.
Unfortunately, just like buying a used car, it is impossible to know precisely what you are getting until you take your puppy home for a “test drive”. While the odds are high that your newly adopted dog will be perfectly fine and healthy, there is a possibility that he may be equipped with idiosyncrasies and emotional issues that were developed from living in the shelter.
Most frequently, these types of dogs arrive at your home full of insecurities from the past experiences of being homeless and then forced into living inside of a cage at the shelter. The good news is that these troubles are usually temporary and will fade away in time, provided that you surround the newly adopted dog with love, affection, and without any harsh dog training techniques.
Consider using a dog training guide if you decide to buy a new young puppy. A good puppy training age is when it’s totally newborn. The dog training course for puppies I highly recommend is Sit Stay Fetch.
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May 14, 2009 | | Adoption
Is it possible to find a quality puppy to adopt at your local animal shelter or breed rescue group?
Conventional wisdom says no, but representatives of both enterprises say that’s not always the case. In fact, many puppies are given up and not adopted for a while. For example, one pup named Tiger was dropped off at a local San Diego shelter when he was just 12 weeks old and is still waiting to be adopted. He is 8 months old now.
You can find a lovely puppy at a shelter. Some of these puppies come from backyard breeders or from people who find themselves saddled with “oops!” litters – when an unexpected litter of puppies results when a female dog is impregnated by accident.
Still, the availability of puppies at a shelter or breed rescue group may depend on what breed is involved. Rescue groups rarely get puppies, let alone purebred Gold Retriever puppies, for example. In another group located in New York, there have only been three litters of puppies of the nearly 800 dogs that have been placed.
In any case, breed rescue groups and animal shelters have identical missions: To match homeless dogs with people who will love them and give them permanent homes.
Shelters generally accommodate all breeds and mixes. Many are run by local governments. Some have a policy of euthanizing dogs who are not claimed or adopted after a certain period of time; others will keep adoptable dogs indefinitely.
Generally, all adoptable dogs that come to a shelter are given health examinations and any immunizations needed, and may be spayed or neutered. Many shelters also perform special tests to determine what type of temperament a dog has, and some offer training programs to help increase a dog’s chances of being adopted.
Breed rescue groups focus on serving one breed or mixes in which that single breed predominates. Volunteers for these groups identify dogs in need, take them into their own homes for foster care, attend to their medical needs, and provide remedial training to help the dogs become more adoptable.
Typically, adoptable dogs remain with rescue groups until a permanent home is found. Sometimes, that permanent home turns out to be that of the foster care provider.
Often, shelters and rescue groups work together on a dog’s behalf. For example, if a dog’s time is running out at an animal shelter, staff workers there might contact a rescue group and ask if that group can provide foster care for the dog. Such cooperation literally can be a lifesaver for a dog who needs a little more time to find a forever home.
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May 11, 2009 | | Adoption
For all the dog lovers out there it goes without saying that a new dog for the family should come from a shelter or breed rescue group. While the shelter works with all breeds that are dropped off, rescue groups work with one specific breed. Both strive to prepare their animals as best possible to be adoptable (training, care, health).
At the same time that a shelter or rescue group prepares a puppy or dog for adoption, they also try to find eligible adopters. Both types of organizations place advertisements on the Internet and in local newspapers that describe available animals. Potential adopters might respond by phone or e-mail, or visit in person.
However, not all potential adopters make the grade. Many facilities have very strict guidelines and restrictions on who gets one of their puppies. For example, the following criteria is standard for people looking to adopt a pup from a high-quality shelter or rescue group:
1) A stay-at-home parent (or one that works from home) should be present. This is because puppies can’t stay alone in a crate for more than a couple of hours.
2) There should also be another dog in the family that the new puppy can learn from. This helps immensely in the pup’s socialization.
3) A fence is mandatory if there are children in the house younger than the age of six.
4) And finally, a commitment from the adopter to continue socialization and a willingness to take the pup to professional training.
Just as rescue groups and animal shelters are fussy about who can adopt their puppies, potential adopters should be equally fussy as to whom they adopt a puppy from. For example, at a shelter, there should be co-housing: puppies housed with other puppies for critical socialization to dogs.
Also, the premises should be clean, and there should be appropriate toys and bedding with the puppies. There should be some sort of program or schedule for getting the puppies out of the kennel to interact with people and see different sights and sounds.
Visitors to a shelter should be greeted by a pleasant and knowledgeable staff member or volunteer. Both shelters and rescue groups should be able to provide information on why the puppy was brought to a shelter or into rescue, confirmation that the puppy has received all immunizations, and information on other resources such as owner counseling or dog training.
Once the shelter or rescue group passes your approval, a prospective adopter should look closely at the puppy he or she is interested in before making a final decision to adopt. A puppy that shows signs of illness or poor care – such as excessive amount of fleas as an example – should be avoided. The dog should have no diarrhea on his rear and hind legs, no discharge, and you want a puppy who shows an interest in you and is at least somewhat active.
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May 11, 2009 | | Dog Obedience
