Do Your Doody - Curb Your Dog!

What a joy it is to be walking through a park or open field these days. The trees! The blue sky! The scenery! THE POOP? Oh yah! You know what I mean!

While urban sprawl continues to expand, the actual space we have to roam freely in the woods gets smaller and smaller. Many of us still love to enjoy the outdoors and feel a certain kinship with the outdoors. We love to bring along our dogs for a romp in the park or a game of Frisbee. And then it happens! We step in an unsightly mess of.. DOG POOPY!!

Nothing stops a person in their tracks quicker than that!

I especially love it when my little boy has been in the park and tracks home this wonderful scent right into my living room floor. I can only imagine the bacteria which is being spread across American homes when they drag in the crap with them. Leave it to the mommies of America to clean up their carpets, the crusted and caked shoes, and wherever else the trail leads.

I am ANGRY about the selfish dog owners who don’t “Curb their dog”, as we say in New York! I’m a dog owner, and my dog poops between 2-4 times a day, and we have a plastic bag ready to go at all times! The grocery store provides FREE ones when you buy groceries! There is no excuse!

Yes, it’s disgusting! Yes, it’s warm and mushy and stinky! (I always make sure there are no holes in the bag first of course! If there are leaves around, I also pick those up first to protect me from any leakage!) But…SO WHAT! IT’s YOUR DOG. And if you don’t pick it up, someone else is going to experience your dog’s CRAP and it ain’t going to be pretty then either! Think about it… people have toilets, but dogs only have.. YOU!

My husband and I live in Baldwin Park in Orlando Florida. It’s a beautiful community with million dollar homes, beautiful town homes, a down town area, and unfortunately, a few selfish dog owners. We’ve spotted one young woman with two large dogs including a German Shephard, who lets the dog off the leash to play every day. We’ve approached her a few times about picking up the CRAP after her dog and her excuse is really great… “I only had one bag”. Then my husband said: “but you have TWO DOGS”. We later watched her dog walker who also didn’t pay any attention after the dogs left two enormous piles behind.

We’ve complained to the home owners association and we’ve complained to the rental offices. We are requesting that a fine be enforced for any dog owner who doesn’t clean up after their dog. We also want to have signs put up and plastic bags available so there is no excuse for “only having one bag”.

I suggest to those of us who are angry enough to do something about it to REVOLT! If the traditional way of politely asking people to clean up doesn’t work, or getting the community to add signs and bags doesn’t work, then I suggest we follow the unsuspecting dog owners home and later deliver a package that they WON”T forget!!

After all, it is theirs… and as good citizens we don’t want people to forget packages that they left behind! Once that starts happening, the people who left the packages behind will either complain to management, try to retaliate but will never find out who did it, and ultimately, know that people are watching and start cleaning up after their pets.

So watch out people! A revolt is coming and if you’re one of the few guilty people out there, we’re going to retaliate so you learn to clean up after your pet!

Just be sure and watch your step when you come out your front door!

Mary Gardner is a dog owner who carries 2 plastic bags every time she takes her dog for a walk. She is trying to spread the word, that every dog owner takes responsibility for their own POOP!

Camping with Dogs-Ten Commandments

CAMPING WITH DOGS - THE TEN COMMANDMENTS In the U.S. alone, more than 30 million people each year take their pets with them while camping. Yet, when we first started RVing with our dogs, we were unable to find much written on the subject. Sure, there were the occasional articles in magazines that reminded us to use pet ID tags, bring plenty of water, and take their favorite toy. But in terms of providing genuine support or bottom-line information, there was nothing out there. Since it was something that we felt was badly needed, we decided to write this article. While there are numerous issues to consider while camping with dogs, these are some of the most important. 1. Make Sure that Your Dog Can't Get Lost It's one thing if your dog gets free in your neighborhood. It's another when you're at a rest stop, nine hundred miles from home. Either train your dog to come when called or make absolutely sure that they're on a leash at all times. 2. Get All of their Vaccinations Up to Date If your dog gets into an altercation with another animal (or a person), the central issue will become their rabies shots. If you stay at a campground that has a demanding pet policy, you'll need to verify your dog's vaccination records. If you cross into Canada, you'll have to confirm that your dogs have had their shots. You get the idea. 3. Make Your Dogs Easy to Identify If your dog does get lost (unfortunately, it happens all the time), the ability to easily identify them will become critical. For permanent identification purposes, consider tattoos or microchips. At a minimum, make sure they wear tags that show their name, your current phone number, and the date of their last rabies vaccination. 4. Clean Up After Your Dog The biggest complaint about dogs has nothing to do with their bark, their bite, or their behavior. If you pick up after your dog, you'll be helping dog owners everywhere. 5. Learn How to Provide First Aid to Your Dog If a medical crisis occurs while at home, you drive to your local veterinarian. But if you're heading down a dark highway in a strange town, it will seem like a bad dream. Although there are ways to get help while on the road, it always takes more time. In the meantime, your ability to provide competent first aid could save your dog's life. 6. Involve Your Dog in Everything You Do If you really want your dogs to have a good time, include them in your activities. Take them with you on long walks. Buy a cheap plastic wading pool and let them play in the water. Throw a ball. Cook them up a hamburger. If you do stuff like that, they'll do cartwheels the next time you decide to take them camping. 7. Call the Campgrounds Before You Go Even if a park claims they're pet-friendly, always call ahead to confirm their policy regarding your dogs. We've arrived at parks (with our two German Shepard dogs) after a long day on the road only to discover that "pet-friendly" meant dogs weighing under 20 pounds. 8. Plan Ahead for the Unexpected Have a plan (for your dogs) in case of a flat tire, a serious accident, or a fire in your RV. Start with a few extra leashes, a pet carrier, and an extra fire extinguisher. Then have a fire drill to identify potential problems. 9. Learn About Your Camping Environment The U.S. is a huge country with a vast assortment of dangerous wildlife, treacherous plants, unpredictable weather conditions, and demanding environmental challenges. If you don't know what you're doing, you might inadvertently be putting yourself and your dog in danger. 10. Recognize and Respect the Views of Others While some of us can't imagine traveling without dogs, others can't image traveling with them. If you keep your dog under control and clean up after them, you won't give others much to grumble about. Happy Camping with Rover!

Natural Dog Shampoos are Good for Your Dog's Skin and Coat

A Healthy Skin and Coat for Your Dog ...

Does your dog always having a lush, soft coat?

Does your dog's skin remain rash and itch free?

If you said yes to either or both of the above questions, yours is a very fortunate dog.

More likely, like me, you said "No", or, perhaps "Sometimes".

Most of our dogs suffer from a dull coat and/or a skin irritation of some type from time to time. Some poor dogs seem to be plagued by skin problems, which often causes them to molt, or even to pull their own fur out in an attempt to relieve the itchiness.

This can be caused by a number of things, including a vitamin deficiency.

Even if you think you're feeding your dog an ideal diet, it may not be so. For years my vet complimented me on the great health of my dogs due to the largely raw diet I fed them, but little did I realise that down the track they would begin to develop degenerative conditions which I can now only attribute to a failure to supplement with vitamins and/or balanced holistic food.

Yes, diet can impact on your dog's skin condition and the look and feel of your dog's coat in a big way.

And fleas also, of course, can cause major skin irritation for your dog.

But for now, back to the external, and non-parasitic, causes of an irritated, dry or itchy skin.

Kara, my Rottweiler, has pretty sensitive skin - she gets a rash from coming into contact with the pollen from certain plants.

My Staffordshire Bull Terrier, Jet, is more hardy in the coat and skin department. Jet's pretty lucky. She doesn't get incessant itches very often at all, although she has been known to molt once or twice in her 9 years.

To keep your dog's skin and coat in tip top condition and health, a good dog shampoo is really important. When my dogs were younger I sometimes used cheap shampoos from discount stores. I came to the conclusion that this was really false economy. They cleaned the coat reasonably well, but weren't particularly beneficial to the skin.

Now I use an all-natural, enriched shampoo which helps relieve itching and dry, flaky skin. And the coat comes out really silky and it really seems to have a lovely shine. And it has a tearless formula, so it's kind to your dog's eyes! If you'd like to check it out, you'll find the details by clicking here: http://www.DogShampoo.BrigitteRecommends.com

If your dog is anything like my Rottweiler, Kara, your dog's fur is often dusty and not so great to stroke. Kara loves rolling in the dirt outside. When the dirt in the backyard is dry, I can brush out the dust and dirt without too much trouble.

But when it's damp Kara needs to be washed to really get her coat clean again. And when it's been pouring rain for a day or two, I actually try to keep her inside the house as much as possible. Because, yes, she rolls in the wet, sticky mud, when she gets a chance. You should see the mess she gets in. She can be covered in mud from head to toe. And she's most put out when I won't let her in the house in that state!

That's when the shampoo really comes in handy! That link again is: http://www.DogShampoo.BrigitteRecommends.com

(c) 2005, Brigitte Smith, Healthy Happy Dogs

Brigitte Smith is a dog lover with a special interest in holistic dog health. Brigitte is the author of several reports, articles, and the Healthy Happy Dogs newsletter.

For your special FREE report - "How to Improve Your Dog's Health Within 30 Days - Maybe Even Lengthen Your Dog's Life!", Click Here: http://www.HealthyHappyDogs.com

How To Find a Search and Rescue Dog Training School

There are many things dogs can be trained to do but, of all the tasks a working dog can perform, search and rescue ranks the highest for needing qualified, professional trainers. A Search and Rescue (SAR) dog's performance, quite literally, can determine life or death to a human in need. As shocking as it may sound, there is no set of standards for rescue dog training. Subsequently, rescue clubs, teams, and individuals emerge as trainers, when, in fact, they may know little, or nothing at all, about training a SAR dog. Attending seminars and reading books on the subject are worthwhile endeavors, but they do not constitute being a SAR dog trainer. Sadly, in a large percentage of cases, this is an assumption not only made, but followed, and replicated. In some cases, those touting themselves as SAR dog trainers scarcely have enough knowledge to teach a dog simple parlor tricks, let alone promptly and accurately scenting or tracking skills, where a human life hangs in the balance. Even when the topical qualifications are in place, this is no substitute for failing to research the validity of those qualifications. You will hear the term "qualified instructor" often from those with police/military backgrounds. While this sounds impressive, keep in mind that there is no "qualification" standard to begin with, so the very title is misleading. Further, there may be a very good reason that the individual is no longer training/handling outside of the police/military venues. That reason may be a desire for work in the private sector, or it could be indicative of poor performance. Now, I'm not trying to paint a bleak picture; there are a number of incredible SAR dog trainers out there. All of these great instructors hold one thing in common: they can bear your scrutiny with flying colors. If you're making the huge step towards training your dog for SAR, then you really need to make the right choices. Here are the top things to consider when choosing a SAR dog trainer: 1. Experience. There is no substitute and there is no better gauge of a trainer's value. Look for trainers who have years of experience in a wide variety of disciplines, not just SAR. Demonstrated ability, in more than a single focus, means that the trainer will be able to administer a wide variety of training methods to accomplish the end goal. Other potential disciplines to look for include: agility, obedience, hunting, or herding. This experience is easily verified by titles such as: Companion Dog (CD, CDX) Agility Dog (AD, MACH, NATCH), Schutzhund (I, II, II) to name a few. 2. Actual SAR experience is a must. SAR dogs perform a number of tasks that your instructor MUST have real-world experience with. They need to be well-versed, from first-hand experience, on how lost or fleeing people will act, how a crime scene needs to be preserved in cadaver searches resulting from criminal acts, etc.Âÿ 3. The trainer should be well-versed on all breeds and capable of assessing and advising on the limitations and capacity of that breed. 4. Separate marketing from proven performance. If your trainer is good, you can bet he or she will have references. Contact those agencies and inquire about the specific services the trainer was hired for and their thoughts regarding the trainer's services. Just because they have a polished web site, well-designed brochures, etc., does not mean they're the best pick, by default. In some cases, a smaller organization may actually yield better references. The decision for you, and your dog, to become involved in SAR is a big one. Take the time to do your homework. Your success and enjoyment will not only be richer but it may, in fact, save a life!

Easy Dog Training

Here are tips that one should keep in mind to train his dog more easily. Digging Behavior Dogs, as social beings, consider digging as their outlet when they are lonely. Nutrient deficiency may also cause this digging. Also known as pica, they sometimes eat the dirt they dig to supplement their health. Spending more time with your dog and giving him a health check will keep his digging behavior at bay. Potty Training For dog potty training, a reward-based method will prove to be a more rewarding endeavor. Giving your dog a bit of dog food when it performs a good potty behavior will make it easier for it to remember the good thing that it did. Repeat and Repeat Considerable repetitions will give your dog ample time to grasp the command. Consistency is the name of the game. After doing enough repetitions, not helping him with the routine will test if the dog really got it. Three successful attempts in a row is a fine gauge in defining if it's just a fluke or if the dog has actually understood the drill. Direct and Correct Communicate to the dog how the drill should be. Be clear on what you want the dog to do. Just commanding the dog without correcting him if he did it wrong is not advisable. Timing is Gold Timing means that you should consider the age of the dog when considering how to deal with him. It is best to train dogs while they are still puppies. Always remember that "old dogs can't learn new tricks" saying. Be More Stubborn Than the Dog Establishing rapport to the dog must always be in this order: You as the alpha dog (authoritative) and him as the submissive being. Show any sign of fear when he snaps back, and you damage that rapport. Don't let the dog not complete the exercise. This will teach the dog to just hold out long enough for you give in to his preferences. Be A Good Actor Provide your puppy with an outlet for his chewing urges. Also, you may practice yelping loudly when your pup starts to chew on you. After yelping, fold your arms and for 10 minutes consider ignoring him. This response is the thing that happens when a pup becomes too rough on other puppies. But depending on your puppy's personality, he may react otherwise, such as biting more. In this case, use a more aggressive approach.

The Doberman: A Modern Dog for Modern Times

Herr Louis Doberman of Thuringen, Germany, was the man who crossed the Rottweiler, the Pinscher and the Black and Tan Terrier to attempt to produce the "ideal" guarding dog. The original purposes of guarding and attacking the stranger who invaded the property was the premise on which the Doberman was developed. Those that chose to have a guard dog expected them to attack strangers. Fenced yards were respected and the Doberman or other protective dog was a part of a family in early Germany. In fact, guard dogs were highly prized and were expected to be intelligent, obedient and courageous.

The Schutzhund Trials, also formalized and standardized in Germany, was a way to test these characteristics. An important ingredient of the Schutzhund trials, however, is the Obedience component which requires a reliable response at all times to the commands of the dogs' master.

The Doberman Pinscher was never intended to be ONLY a dog that would be a fierce guard dog, it was intended to be the "ideal" guard dog, a dog that is obedient, faithful and protective when necessary. A "Schutzhund" dog should not only be a fierce protector but should also be a responsible member of society, controllable and mannerly in social situations. With some breeds earning a successful Schutzhund title is the pre-requisite to using the dog in a breeding program in Germany. The Doberman's development in Germany has been tempered with responsibility on the part of the owner being a main ingredient in his training and upbringing.

The Doberman requires a strong and sensible owner who has knowledge of dogs and canine behavior. The Doberman must first of all be responsibly bred and then socialized early and faithfully trained in obedience and it can be a great family companion and still maintain a naturally protective instinct. In the United States the Doberman Club has from the beginning provided a responsible approach to educating the public about the breeding, socialization and training of their protégé. To a large degree this has protected the Doberman Dog from becoming a status symbol for violent members of society, as has been the sad fate of the Pitbull.

In today's society the Doberman is often a champion in the obedience trials. As an example in 1992, The A.K.C. recorded in their records 2, 175 CDX titles earned by Dobermans. The Doberman Club has for years put strong emphasis on providing education for the public about the potential working abilities of their breed and many are trained in tracking, search and rescue and police dogs.

The Doberman Pinscher for many years suffered from Von Willebrands Disease but now that there is a DNA test for this problem it can be avoided through responsible breeding. Wobbler's syndrome, bone cancer and heart problems are also prevalent in the Doberman breed and responsible breeders usually test for these conditions.

The Doberman Pinscher is described in the A.K.C. standard as "Elegant in appearance, of proud carriage, reflecting great nobility and temperament," and the temperament is further described as "Energetic, watchful, determined, alert, fearless, loyal and obedient." Owners of Dobermans should have a sense of responsibility and determination also and if they follow through on good socialization and training for their dog they will have a dog that exemplifies every aspect of a great companion and watch dog for their family.

Michael Russell

Your Independent guide to Dogs

Mixing Of The Breeds

You might know of them as 'mongrels', 'mutts' or have heard some more colorful descriptions like “designer breeds. Whatever you call them they are the result of either deliberate or accidental crossbreeding.

There are over 800 different breeds of dogs already recognized by Kennel Clubs around the world. Many people around the world have owned dogs considered to be mixed breeds for years but now crossbreeding is taking a more sinister turn.

Unscrupulous breeding practices have led to a new generation of dog that has highly valued traits and temperament. Many of today’s most popular celebrities are flaunting their tiny dogs proudly. Paris Hilton, Britney Spears and many of the world’s most elite socialites are rarely seen without their petite dogs.

But what's so great about these dogs?

People who own dogs of mixed parentage say their dogs have better personalities. In theory a widening of the gene pool could in fact improve the temperament of some mixes. Fans of the designer dogs say you cannot be too sure of purebred dogs either.
Purebreds are all a result of some form of selective breeding; however these designers’ breeds are not. All dogs come from some intertwining however purebred is a more trusted source. People have been domesticating dogs for many of thousands of years by mixing a bit of this and that.

The term purebred is used with regard to dogs that have met certain criteria through an established track record. There are a minimum number of generations that must pass through a series of checks for a new variety to become a recognized breed.
Not everybody is as enthusiastic about these new hybrid dogs. The kinds of genetic weaknesses that could be introduced into the gene pool are infinite. This is quite a scary thought in terms of the future of our hairy companions. Imagine if 50 years from now there are no discernible traces of any of the breeds we once knew.

And it's about much more than preservation of purity. If some of the newer mixes are proof of some kind of assisted evolution of dogs what are we really saying by breeding dogs the size of handbags?

In some kind of cyclical process fashion-statement-handbag-dogs are becoming as popular as they were in the late 19th Century. It was considered standard for any respectable woman to have a pint-sized pooch in her bag.

Now you can have a dog the size of a large mouse. Many celebrities can be seen fussing over their tiny dogs which serve to popularize the idea that these dogs are the latest 'it' thing. What happens when the neon lights fade away?

Paris Hilton gave her little pooch away. They're awfully cute but as all with all dogs they're a long term commitment. It doesn't do the dog any favors to grow up spoilt and then be abandoned or given away.

Miniature dogs can develop all kinds of nasty health complications. If their lives are not cut short by their stature they can look forward to a wide range of health problems. Many of which are expensive and painful.

It's widely acknowledged amongst experts that the newer Teacup varieties are irresponsible. You can be almost guaranteed of a sickly dog. Epileptic seizures, birthing problems, dental problems and back problems are just some of the conditions that these diminutive dogs are more likely to face.

There's a good reason why no reputable breeder would breed their dogs down to a particular size that would be unhealthy; these breeding practices involved are widely considered to be dangerous.

But what's wrong with purebred dogs?

Aren't there enough variations to choose from already? What’s wrong with getting a Maltese if you want Maltese characteristics? What’s wrong with getting a Yorkshire Terrier if you want on that is full of energy? If you are highly allergic to dogs, chances are you will suffer no matter how carefully your dog was bred.

It is true that there is considerable variation in the predictability of purebred dogs, as with any kind of selective breeding. The biggest and foremost advantage is that purebred dogs have a better chance of becoming well adjusted, healthy dogs later in life because they have a proven track record.

Article Source: http://www.articledashboard.com

Steve Allison is a third generation of professional dog breeders along with his brother Gary. It all started with his grandparents in 1970 with the Boston Terriers and has expanded to Maltese, Yorkshire Terriers, Pugs, Shih Tzu’s and Pomeranians. He is also actively involved with dog rescue and has a website that showcases the puppies they occasionally has for sale at All My Puppies Online Steve is also the co-author of two consumer guides, Carpet Secrets and Moving Secrets Guide