Archive for December, 2009
what is “cyber dog secirty & communication”?
Posted by: | CommentsPoisonous Plants – Common Indoor Houseplants That Can Kill Your
Posted by: | CommentsPoisonous Plants - Common Indoor Houseplants That Can Kill Your Dog
For those of you that keep your dog inside of the house at all times and away from outdoor dangers from poisonous plants, you may feel relatively safe but there are plenty of precautions to take in what indoor plants you choose to have around the house.
Let me guess, you probably have plants decorated inside such as the caladium, alocasia, elephant ears, a few philodendrons, and even a sprinkle of skunk cabbage for added sparkle. There is nothing to fear in this lovely scenario, is there?
Wrong!
Each indoor plant that we just mentioned above contain a small amount of sharp crystals known as calcium oxalate. Once your dog bites into these plants, the crystals become embedded in its mouth which not only results in pain, but can be fatal due to the immense swelling of the back of the tongue, thus preventing the dog from breathing, and ending in death by suffocation.
Mistletoe is a beautiful little plant, widely known as a yuletide decoration, that provides a traditional reminder of happiness during the holidays. But when the holidays are over, these mistletoe plants are carelessly thrown into the trash can. If your dog doesn't get to it then there is a good possibility that a free-roaming dog outside may snatch up a few bites when the trash is put out. Either way, these dogs can become very sick when ingesting the mistletoe.
During wedding ceremonies, thousands of churches every year are decorated with beautiful yellow Jessamine to accent the ceremony. And the brides all carry bouquets of this yellow Jessamine. At the end of the ceremonies, these lovely decorations are tossed into the trash and death is literally waiting for any stray dog with nothing better to do than eat the blossoms of these plants.
Take Responsibility
Now that you can see that there are many common houseplants that represent death to your dog and other house pets, it obviously would behoove of you to understand exactly what you are putting into your home for plant decorations. Place your dog's life ahead of your wish list when designing your indoor plant set up.
Further, if you think that your dog has been poisoned by plant toxin, bring both your dog and the suspected plant culprit with you to the veterinarian. If the vet knows exactly which plant caused the poisoning, he will have a better chance at providing the correct antidote.
Keep in mind, however, that your veterinarian cannot be expected to know as much as a botanist would, but proper diagnosis and the correct treatment of specific plant poisoning is at the vet's fingertips through the national Poison Control Center if additional help is needed.
Dog Communication: Are You Listening? (1)
Posted by: | CommentsYou've just gotten home after a brutal day at work. The headache from your busy schedule would love nothing more than to be relieved by a warm welcome from your family.
As soon as you open the door you hear the high-pitched voice of your wife as she is scolding your ten-year-old son, while his little sister is sobbing because he broke one of her new dolls.
The television is loud and your Mother-in-law is chatting on the phone...
So who is the loving one that meets you at the door?
"Sammy" does, your three-year-old mongrel dog.
He's wagging and wiggling from his head to the tip of his tail. He dances and jumps into your waiting arms, and, if you allow him, he licks you on the face. He's glad to see you. Your dog has expressed himself in the language that he knows you understand.
Your dog, like pet dogs all over the world, use body language and a variety of vocal sounds to communicate with his owner. The dog possesses an incredible ability to communicate with his owner: a universal language, telling man of danger, desire, loyalty and love.
Your dog talks to tell you how sad he is when he's scolded. He shouts loud and clear his distress when a stranger or something unusual approaches, and he talks to you about how happy he is to be near you and share your companionship.
Your dog talks best with his tail. When you accidentally step on your pet or upbraid him, he will tuck his tail between his legs and cower down, showing his submission. By tucking the tail, the dog is hiding his scent and thus hiding himself. This language seems to go back to the ancient wild dog when submissiveness and dominance existed in the pack.
Your pet's ancestors signaled his subservience to the dominant dog by dropping that tail. Today, the domesticated dog is saying, "I feel terrible about what happened."
In contrast to the submissive tail movement, there is that happy, excited tail-wagging that states how much your dog wants to please you. The following story is such an example of this need to please:
Max, a Collie, did his doggiest best to please his young owner while she was preparing for her wedding. Max had watched Angelica opening her wedding gifts the week before the ceremony. One afternoon, the Collie proceeded to provide a gift for Angelica...
He yanked a brocade pillow from a neighbor's clothesline and brought it home. After placing the pillow at Angelica's feet, he wagged his tail in sheer joy that he was pleasing his owner and sharing her prenuptial pleasures.
As you can see from this wonderfully heartwarming example of this Collie's desire to communicate pleasure, dogs are also much more intelligent than we give them credit for, especially in the communication department.
Ibizan Hound (Hound Group)
Posted by: | CommentsThe Ibizan Hound is one of the most instinctive hunting dogs of the Hound Group. They can locate just about any animal using highly tuned-in scent and hearing skills. If given the chance to chase, these dogs will jump at the opportunity to go after small animals. They often bark while chasing prey, which is uncommon among most sighthounds. Indoors, the Ibizan makes a wonderful house pet with a quiet, well-mannered demeanor and highly devoted to its family.
A Brief History Of The Ibizan Hound
The Ibizan hound has its roots that date back to the Ancient times, from the Balearic Islands. Their physical appearance is strikingly similar to that of the Pharaoh Hound, both bearing an amazing similar look as those depicted in Egyptian tombs.
It is said that Ancient Phoenician sea traders had brought these dogs with them to the Balearic Islands (Ibizan), where they remained secluded from the outside world for some time. And although Ibizan had experienced many rulers over the years, the Ibizan Hound still remained totally pure without being crossed with other breeds. Very little has changed from its ancestral stock.
The first Ibizan Hound made its way to the United States during the 1950s. The dog made quite an impression due to its unusually striking look. Although it became popular quickly, the breed's numbers never really took off. Gradually it had gained enough notice to be recognized by the AKC in 1979. Today the Ibizan still remains a rare breed to be seen.
Upkeep Requirements For The Ibizan Hound
Being the proud owner of the Ibizan Hound means living an active lifestyle. Daily runs or sprints in a safe area will keep this dog happy. In fact, they have the most fun when allowed to run at full speed, which means having access to a large field. Ideally you should live on a large property with plenty of open land to keep the Ibizan happy.
This not the type of hound that is meant to live outdoors. Although they should have access to the yard during the day it is important that they sleep inside at night with the family. Ibizan dogs have a moderate tolerance for heat but not so much for cooler temperatures. Grooming requirements for the breed calls for the occasional brushing every couple of weeks. The wire-coated version will need brushing more often - about once weekly.
Health Concerns
The average lifespan of the Ibizan Hound is between twelve and fourteen years. There are no major health concerns to worry about. Minor health problems that run common in the breed include seizures and allergies. Rarely seen is retinal dysplasia, cataracts, axonal dystrophy, and deafness. Veterinarians suggest that Ibizan Hounds get specifically tested for eye problems.
Pet Poisoning
Posted by: | CommentsPet Poisoning should be the concern of every dog owner, as well as having other pets in the house. Some pet owners fear that an unfriendly neighbor might deliberately poison their dog because of some real or imagined misbehavior. But cases such as these are, fortunately, very rare.
More often, pet poisoning is the result of someone's ignorance or carelessness. For example, your pet can get lead poisoning if he is allowed to chew on painted objects or to lick old paint cans laying around the garage.
Perhaps you are cleaning and have been spraying for insects or small rodents with an agent that contains phosphorous. Several sniffs of this and your dog can develop serious phosphorous poisoning. If you are trying to get rid of rats and mice with a rodent poison, there is a fair chance that your pet might try a sample.
When playing outside, your dog can nip the leaves of bushes that have been sprayed. Or, your cat may lick his paws and feet after running over an area that has been sprayed with insecticide.
The family garbage can, an attractive nuisance to dogs, must also share a major load of the blame for pet poisoning. Usually, this is where a dog finds old pills, powders, medicines, and decaying meat (most common form of sickness from garbage cans).
When Poisoning Is Suspected
When you think your dog or other pet has been poisoned, call your veterinarian immediately. If he asks you to induce vomiting, the usual emetics are hydrogen peroxide mixed with an equal amount of water; common table salt mixed with 2 teaspoons to a cup of warm water.
Caution: Family remedies from home medicine cabinets are not suited for pets. Tonics that contain an amount of strychnine that has been proven beneficial to human beings are often extremely dangerous since dogs are highly sensitive to this drug.
Pet poisoning can have a sudden, devastating effect on your pet when large doses are taken. Or, if ingested over a period of time, in small amounts, the poison will gradually weaken him.
It is not difficult to tell when your dog has been poisoned. The signs are quite definite. He may be either nervous and excited or depressed. His symptoms may include trembling, vomiting, and convulsions. Your dog may also develop blue gums, cloudiness in the eyes, and blood-streaked diarrhea. Depending upon the kind of poison ingested, one or more of these signs may be seen.
Pet Food Recall: Are These Pet Food Manufacturers Purposely Killing
Posted by: | CommentsPet Food Recall: Are These Pet Food Manufacturers Purposely Killing Your Animals?
We all want the best for our beloved dogs, especially when it comes to the foods they eat. We want to give them only the healthiest food available to make sure that they will live a long and healthy life. But what if the so-called "healthy pet foods" that are being sold in the market today are not reliable anymore?
What do we do when we can no longer trust the food manufacturers who is supposed to provide us with safe and healthy foods for our animals?
When The Food Is Killing Your Pets, Something Has To Change
The widespread recall of pet food has created a scare to all dog and cat owners who rely on commercial brands to feed their pets. All over the country, contaminated pet food has caused many dogs to become severely sick, while a large number of them have died.
In March alone of this year, Menu foods, an Ontario based manufacturing company, recalled more than 90 brands of "cuts and gravy" moist foods (both dog food and cat food) after more than 14 animals died from eating them. A few weeks later, the same company added 20 more varieties of their brand to be taken off store shelves.
It was later discovered that wheat gluten, an ingredient found in the said pet foods, was contaminated with rat poison. The risk of Salmonella contamination has also been the cause of a recall for two brands of pig ear dog treats.
Cases of toxic pet foods go back to December of 2005, when several dogs died and dozens fell ill after eating kibble manufactured by Diamond Pet Foods. It was later found out that the food was contaminated with aflatoxin a naturally occurring chemical produced from fungus and can be found on crops such as wheat, corn, rice, and beans. This chemical is also toxic to domestic animals, livestock, and even humans. Other pet food recalls during this past decade also involve the risk for Salmonella contamination.
Are These Pet Food Companies Breaking The Law?
FDA regulations state that pet foods should be manufactured similar to the way human foods are manufactured. They should be processed under a sanitary environment, do not contain any harmful ingredients, accurately labeled, and safe to eat.
All pet food manufacturers are expected to comply with these regulations to ensure that the food is safe and healthy. However, due to limited resources, the FDA can only inspect pet food issues after consumer complaints are made or if the FDA has a reason to believe that there is a threat to animal health. A recall is then announced by the FDA or the manufacturer if a defective product is found.
My cat has a birth defect where her lower jaw doesn't meet up with her upper jaw so her lower k9's go up in the upper palate of her mouth when its closed. she has a hard time eating and usually has her tung sticking out. to get the problem teeth pulled it will cost close to 1000 dollars
Harrier
Posted by: | CommentsThe Harrier dog breed is a member of the scenthound family and its origins are from Great Britain. The term "Harrier" used to be a general reference to all hounds which is why it makes it difficult to research the exact history of today's Harrier dog. Dog historians theorize that this dog may in fact be one of the oldest of scent hounds that are still in existence today.
References to the Harrier dog breed date back to the 13th century in England. And It is quite possible that the breed has ancestry that connects with the Talbot dog (which is extinct today), St. Hubert hounds, Brachet dogs, and eventually the French Basset.
All of these breeds combined produced a dog that had a keen ability to track hare with its strong sense of scent and at a pace slow enough that enabled hunters to keep up with them on foot. In the past, most Harrier packs were owned and used by the gentry. However, hunters that were poor and did not have horses could also hunt alongside Harriers. The Harrier breed has been recognized in the United States since back to the colonial times.
Personality
If you have the opportunity to own a Harrier dog as a house pet then you have already seen just how playful and outgoing its personality can be. This dog is much more sociable than its counterpart, the Foxhound, but not quite as extroverted as the Beagle is. Harrier dogs are excellent with children, amiable, and make outstanding watchdogs. They are most happy when able to run free outdoors in a safe area sniffing and hunting.
Taking Care Of Your Harrier
Like most dogs, Harriers need daily physical exercise that can be taken care of with a long walk or a brisk jog out on the trail. It also loves to play vigorous dog games outside. They can live outdoors if need be so long as there is plenty of warm shelter and soft bedding. Grooming requirements are minimal, with only the occasional brushing to remove loose hair. One other important thing to know about Harrier dogs is that they are extremely sociable and need companionship at all times.
Health Information
The average lifespan for a healthy Harrier dog is between 11 and 15 years. The only major health concern that may spring up is CHD. There are no minor issues to date. Occasionally seen is perianal fistula and epilepsy, but both conditions are extremely rare.
Shopping From A Breeder (4): The Small Professional Breeder (Part
Posted by: | CommentsShopping From A Breeder (4): The Small Professional Breeder (Part 1)
If your new puppy hasn't eaten as much as you think he should, if he sneezes once too often for your liking, if he howls all night when you think he should be adjusted to his new surroundings - then you can thank your lucky stars that you purchased the little guy from a small professional breeder.
Help is usually just a simple phone call away. Small professional breeders are like the Doctors back in the days whom, just like in those old television shows, would rush right over if anyone in the family had a cold, always ready and available with a sympathetic ear and good solid advice!
Small professional breeders are usually true and devoted dog lovers in every sense of the word. They are normally very active in breed clubs whose goal is the betterment of the breed. These devoted animal lovers literally eat, sleep, breath, and live for dogs!
You can find them ringside at local dog shows and at dog matches. They are professionals, but the smaller breeder is lucky if he or she financially breaks even at the end of the year. For them, it is not about the money at all, it is for the dogs.
Small Professional Breeders Are Very Careful About Selecting New Owners
In dealing with a larger breeder, one gets the feeling that they really care where their puppies wind up; but be prepared when taking on the small professional breeder, because specific questioning they may make you feel like the FBI or the CIA are all conspiring to gather as much information about you as possible!
At times, prospective buyers have found this to be offensive, but actually, it is to be admired. These breeders breed on an average scale. Chances are they have only five or six dogs in their kennel. Some small breeders have only two - the male and the female.
The small professional breeder usually will have one or two litters a year, which are products of carefully planned breeding, infinite care, and patience. To place these puppies with the right people becomes the breeder's sole reason for being. Some small breeders make baby adoption agencies seem pale by comparison.
Be prepared for such questions as: "Do you have a fenced in yard?" "Are there any other dogs in your house?" "How many and how old are they?" "What are their sexes?" "Where are they kept?" "Where are you planning to put your new puppy?" "How much time during the day are you able to spend with your new puppy?" "What about the weekends?"
These questions make a good deal more sense than the novice puppy buyers can sometimes understand. Many buyers do not give sufficient thought to the proper adjustments that the new puppy will have to make in his different surroundings. He will be in a new home, having left the only one he has ever known, plus the people who loved and cared for him, as well as his littermates.
Are there any good dog breeders out there?
Posted by: | CommentsI am a professional dog breeder and I was wondering if any of you have had some good experiences with dog breeders. I hear so many negatives about breeding dogs--I love my dogs! They are my life! I don't have a lot in my life except for my dogs. They love so unconditionally and I ALWAYS put their health and well being first! I will NEVER make a lot of money from selling puppies because that isn't the most important thing to me. I was just wondering if anyone has had a GOOD experience with a dog breeder? Are there any good dog breeders out there (other than me)?
Hi! I'm Jamie and this is my site about dogs.
