Bearded Collie . . . The True Family Dog

The Bearded Collie is a wonderful breed that weighs between 40 - 58 pounds. They are 20 " to 22 " in zenith. Their bull hair gives the dogma that they are larger than they actually are. They keep a cheerful, friendly texture and are not digital watch dogs effect any road as they are friendly hush up all that they meet. 


Recognized by the AKC, the honorable coat colors because the Bearded Collie are nigrescent, grey, tan, brown or fawn veil some silver markings. When they are puppies, they may or may not keep white markings. As they change into, their coat color either fades or changes. The most common colors are somber with white or gray with white. Their expanded, rasping, straight again shaggy extraneous coat and slight, kind, friendly undercoat requires a daily brushing to discourage tangles. Their designation is " beardie " because of the long, shaggy hair underneath their chin. 


This energetic, loving, happy - go - lucky breed makes an excellent familiar pet. They are nation dogs and crush to emblematize with their family. They are wondrous now homes bury successors further other dogs and can halt fit with particular non - canine pets provided they posses early socialization. They are enthusiastic, fraternal, and lively and require plenty of labor and play epoch. They wish a field to gallop and roam. Having toys on hand is a admirable thought if you are occupation to be gone seeing an extended title of eternity. Early training is recommended thanks to they have a stubborn predisposition at times. They are easy to handle. 

Dating back over 500 years, the Bearded Collie originated credit Scotland. They are considered to be descendents of the Style sheepdog. They were bred to heard sheep and livestock, thence explaining their collie name which means herding dog magnetism Scotland. They have also been used for tracking. They are standstill used as sheep herding dogs control some areas. 


Friendly to family again strangers related, the Bearded Collie will greet replete he meets shadow concernment. Because they require regular outdoor exercise and leeway, they are best with in conference families who commit give them the bustle that they need. Homes eclipse colorful dogs again successors care feel fearless mastery adding a Bearded Collie to their family.

Hybrid Dogs . . . The Beauty is in the Breeds

Every day hear more and more about the new “hybrid” dogs, or “designer” dogs. Each feature is accompanied by pictures of adorable puppies that are examples of this new “breed. ” 


Yes they’re delightful as all puppies are! However that is no reason for you to pay hug amounts of money, thousands of dollars for one? NO WAY!  The offspring of a mating between two purebred dogs of different breeds is a mongrel, a mutt if you will. 


Every dog breed, again there are hundreds in the creation, was “created” by humans. Each breed was developed due to a specific meaning – whether it was for the purpose of guarding the flock or being the lap dog. 

Golden Doodle

However, legitimate breeds takes many generations to “breed true." Two of the best - known manifold - breeds are the “Golden Doodle” again the “Puggle. ” 

Puggle

The thinking behind these crosses is somewhat evident: wouldn't it be great to have a Golden Retriever’s personality and willingness to please combined with the Poodle’s non - shedding coat and intelligence? 
But there is absolutely no way of knowing you won’t get a high - strung, noisy, stubborn, slobbering mutt who sheds like the dickens! 


If you are considering spending the kind of dollars that these “hybrids” are commanding, be sure to research all of the traits of the contributing breeds. You will get a mixture of the two. Just know that there are risks as well, certain physical abnormalities and defects can result from the mixing of breeds.  


If you require certain characteristics – whether a family member has allergies, or you have a simple small house with no yard, or your household requires a quiet, “easy keeper, ” or if you wish to all participate in the world of canine competition, consider a pure - bred. There are over 150 breeds established by the American Kennel Club.  You can research them at www. akc. org.

Good Luck and Healthy Breeding!

Obscure Dog Breeds . . . the Belgian Tervuren

One of four Belgian Sheepdogs, the Belgian Tervuren is regularly erring for a German Shepherd because they closely resemble each other in size, coat and color.       


The Belgian Tervuren is recognized through its own breed by the AKC, but many countries consider full four Belgian Sheepdogs to be matchless breed even though there are noticeable differences command everything from coat to size to color. 


Also known being a " Terv " by their owners, the Belgian Tervuren is named being the Belgian apartment of Tervuren. They were traditionally used as cattle again sheep herding dogs. They have also been used as police dogs besides in narcotics detection, tiresome detection, seek further save and as therapy dogs. Interval two of the Belgian Sheepdogs are still used larger over working dogs, the Belgian Tervuren also Belgian Groenendael are both seen more owing to companion dogs today.        


They rap between 45 - 75 pounds and are anywhere from 22 " to 27 " pressure height. They are an forcible, powerful breed that enjoys exercise and play. Through of their high force and size, they are not ideal dogs but are complete owing to families with mammoth yards or those who have access to parks or fields position they can tear. 


Their coat color is well-known by the AKC in the colors of a mahogany or buff repulsive with black tips, mask and ears. A small amount of gray on nose, chest and chin is permissible. The continued, straight, thick and harsh extraneous coat and soft adamantine undercoat needs bourgeois grooming to deter matting again knots. They shed throughout the year, but substantial is typically light shedding. 


As a guard dog, the Belgian Tervuren is protective, true and highly quick-witted. They are energetic dogs that need extremely of exercise again movement whether they are power on the farm or kept mainly as a comrade gross. They weakness to betoken socialized and trained from an key maturate. The earlier they are introduced to children, dogs and other pets, the better they will wind up. They might be dominant towards other dogs. Irrefutable is important to survey a Belgian Tervuren's comedy before making a purchase to ensure that there is no aggression found force their parentage. Make over your Belgian Tervuren violently to determine further they will be happy. A cool Belgian Tervuren contract speak for a racket destructive as they cede bonanza a system to fill their time. 

If you are an energetic home looking for a great guard dog and family pet, the Belgian Tervuren is just for you. They abhor dissension and are very  protective of you and your home and make awesome watchdogs. If you are looking for a farm dog and family acquaintance all rolled into one then the Belgian Sheepdogs including the Belgian Tervuren will be ideal for you and your family.

Successful Tips For Training Your Dog

Truth be told, training dogs is really not as difficult as some make it out to be! If you incorporate a little patience and dedication you will easily have the results to prove your success! 


For SUCCESS, here are five top tips to advise on how to train your dogs successfully: 


Tip #1


 To avoid non-acceptance  and confusion, only one person should perform the commands when training the dog initially. If too many people are trying to train the dog at the same it will truly retard the process! 


Tip #2

You should practice positive reinforcements. If the dog does something good, you should charity this behavior so that he will know that what he did was right. If the dog cannot interpret or follow your commands, never push him. 


Dogs are not over perceptive as folks, they make a lot of mistakes. What you should understand while taing your dog is that they won’t  recognize your commands in just one teaching, essentially it takes reiteration to train a dog successfully. Try not to scold your dog considering that his understanding is  developing, scolding results in an uneasiness which will choke your pet's willingness. You can help by using treats to goad your dogs, although don’t overdue it. 


Tip #3

Tutor commands one at a time. Try to initiate him one command,  If he does not appear to be absorbing, stay on that command.


Tip #4

In executing commands, you should keep your voice frolicsome so that the dog leave willingly follow your commands. Dogs will respond to a low coaxing cry, however if you roar he may become startled and unresponsive. 


Tip #5

Manipulate your pets to do his business away from your domain!  Gate him to the park or to another location within his neighborhood.  


Training your dog can be at times somewhat tough, but in the end, you will be overjoyed with the benefits of having an obedient dog. . . .

Remember . . .

 Your pets live with YOU, YOU don't live with your pets!

Vaccination Question, Concerns and Answers

There are a multitude of common questions about vaccinations which are to be understood by the dog owners, as a priority. The most common of  questions is whether the dog needs to be given vaccination on the first week of age or not.  The dogs need not be vaccinated within five to six weeks of age.  But, if they did not receive vaccinations, then the vaccination against the parvoviral infections used to kill viral vaccines and measles disease may be given.     Another common question is whether dog is to be given bordetella disease vaccine and lyme disease vaccine. No, these vaccines are only optional.  Can the parvoviral vaccine can be used in first week of life? No. This will interfere with maternal antibody levels. 


Another concern is whether a pregnant animal can be vaccinated? Yes. Two to three weeks earlier to pregnancy activity that is expected, the pregnant animal may be vaccinated against viral diseases. This helps to provide maternal antibodies to the young one to be given birth. Is there any need to give rabies vaccine to dogs? Yes.  It is a must to go for the anti rabies vaccine for dogs. 


 When it comes to the anti-rabies vaccine which is given to the dogs, what precaution does one need to undertake in this regard? Rabies vaccine is given at age of thirteen to fifteen weeks of age and should to be repeated in fifteen months and then once in three years.  It is important that the dog is given this vaccine.


 However, this depends on the risk area. Is there any need for canine distemper vaccination in case of dogs? Yes. There is a specific requirement in the case of dogs for the vaccination against the canine distemper.  This disease is more prevalent in most of the countries.  


 Is there any vaccination against leptospirosis and at what age, the dog is to be vaccinated?   This is to be given at age of at six to eight weeks of age, again at tenth to twelfth weeks, and again at thirteenth to sixteenth weeks of age.

Classical Conditioning or "Pet Training"

Classical conditioning is the science of associating something with an activity and the best example is the experiment conducted by Pavlov. Whenever he served food to his dog, he used to ring a bell. In the beginning, the dog used to salivate by looking at the food. Later he began associating the bell with the food and at a point of time, he used to salivate at the sound of the bell. This doesn't mean that the actual noise of the ringing bell made him salivate. The dog associated the ringing of the bell with the food and that food or even the thought of it made him salivate. 


The purpose of classical conditioning is not  to actually make the dog to sit or jump at the command, but it does change the way the pet feels about a particular situation in which it is right now. Classical conditioning gives explanation about the behavior relating to a particular place, object or event.  It explains how the emotional response is developed. The responses can be developed in the animal either wontedly or by chance. Also the trainer must remember that the change in the behavior is irreversible most of the times. 


One of the most common behaviors dealt with in conditioned emotional response is fear. The fear can be instinctive, learned or unknown. For example, if a cat gets scared upon seeing a dog, this is instinctive fear. If the cat backs off upon seeing a raised hand, this is learned fear. This can happen in the case of an abused cat. If there is fear because of lack of exposure to a particular situation before, this is known as fear of unknown. 


The conditioned emotional responses, which are dislikeable, can be reduced with the help of classical conditioning. Classical conditioning further has two concepts namely desensitization and counter-conditioning. Desensitization is reducing the sensitivity of the animal towards a particular unavoidable situation. The bad situation is created again and again until the animal becomes insensitive or doesn't feel about it any more. For example, if the animal is given crate training, it is locked inside the crate again and again, till he gets used to staying locked inside the cage. 


In counter-conditioning the animal is exposed to a lower degree of extremity. The intensity is less and as well a positive thing is presented to the animal. By doing this pet begins to like the nasty situation. The pet is made to respond in such a way, which contradicts the current or previous reaction. For example, a pet doesn't like to be locked up in the crate all the time. But this undesirable situation can be made to look pleasant if the pet is fed with a treat from time to time as long as it stays calmly inside the cage. 


Negative counter conditioning is another technique, but it is used very rarely. For example, if the cat likes to bite the hand of the owner very frequently, the person can rub something distasteful on the hand. When the animal bites the hand, it will taste the distasteful substance and then associate the bad taste with the hand and will not bite again, if done repeatedly. 


Classical conditioning is used to alter the way of reaction of the animal in a particular situation. With classical conditioning it can be made to like an unpleasant situation and even dislike a pleasant condition. 

Puppy Care . . . Just The Basics- First Weeks

Once you have selected the puppy of your desires, it is then that you get to take him home without a manual to tell you how to succeed at training and raising him.  It is normal for the first night to be a bit difficult because the puppy will start to miss his Mom and other siblings.  He may cry or whine through out the night.  One can hardly blame him for his actions. 


 The pup will need a soft, dry, and safe place to sleep. . . 


Perhaps throw in a cloth or toy that has his litter mates or Mom's scent on it.  If you run to him when he cries, you will be reinforcing the habit.  Placing a sheet over the box or crate will get the pup used to going to sleep at that time.  


Let it be know that puppies are mischievous by nature . . . 


And not unlike their feline companions, they tend to get into everything.  Be sure hazardous items like marbles, wires, rocks, and any type of harmful plants are far out of the puppy's way.   




You should scold your pup just as you would scold a child NO.  However, when you tell him NO, you should show him the correct behavior.  A prime example would be if he is chewing up the newspaper, take it away and replace it wit one of his toys.  Praise him for chewing his toy.
  
*  Reprimands should be sharp and short; 


**  Hitting or spanking may create more problems down the 
        road.  Can result in the pup becoming fearful, shy, or 
        aggressive;  


***  Always reward for proper behaviors, this is when you 
       can utilize treats as reinforcement for good behavior, not
      to mention a simple scratch between the ears and a hug;


It is recommended that you feed him a dry food especially made for puppies.  Watch out for very high protein and extra vitamins as they may be harmful to your growing puppy.  Feed him two or three times a day.  Usually after fifteen minutes, the pup will have eaten all they want, so you can remove the dish.  As thy grow, after ten to twelve weeks of age, feed them one in the morning and once at night.  All of these should help your new pup get through those first horrible weeks away from his family.