Smart Dogs can be Obedient Dogs

According to Stanley Coren, author of “The Intelligence of Dogs,” some breeds have a “working intelligence” and are more likely to be trainable and obedient.  Intelligent breeds do require attention and activity, because they get bored easily and can become destructive if not given proper channels for their energy and inquisitiveness.  They also need adequate training and consistent human leadership to take the proper family role. 

These are the top ten most obedient breeds:

·         Border collie.  This is an energetic, medium sized dog who needs stimulating activities and active outdoor play.  It can be kid friendly if well socialized.  Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

·         Poodle.  A standard poodle is medium to large, although there are toy and miniature varieties as well.  It is a cheerful, but low key breed.  It dislikes being alone, and is excellent with kids. Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

·         German Shepherd.  This is a large, protective breed, loyal to family and doesn’t like being left alone.  It is courageous and wary of strangers.  It needs regular, challenging activities.  Life expectancy is up to 13 years.

·         Golden Retriever.  This is a medium to large, well-mannered breed.  It is charming, playful, and loves children and everyone else.  It needs regular exercise.  Life expectancy is 10-12 years.

·         Doberman Pinscher.  This is a medium, powerful, energetic breed.  It is affectionate and naturally protective, needing proper socialization to avoid willful behavior.  It needs regular exercise but is cold sensitive.  Life expectancy is up to 13 years. 

·         Shetland Sheepdog.  This dog is small and docile.  It loves people and is affectionate, but will need socialization to get along with children.  Keep this dog on a leash because it loves to chase cars.  Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

·         Labrador Retriever.  This is a large water dog with a high need for exercise and activity.  It is good natured, reliable, and playful.  It is a loyal family dog, but needs training.  Life expectancy is 10-12 years.

·         Papillon. This dog is also called Toy Spaniel. It is small and good with children, with a friendly personality. It and can be playful and affectionate, but is prone to excessive barking.  Life expectancy is up to 16 years.

·         Rottweiler.  This is a powerful breed known for its courage and protective instincts.  It requires early training and can work well with children, but is wary of strangers.  It craves exercise and activity.  Life expectancy is 10-12 years.

·         Australian Cattle Dog.  This breed is small but loyal and protective. It is energetic and does best when it has stimulating or work to do. It is trustworthy with children but suspicious of strangers.  Life expectancy is 12-15 years.

Source:  DogBreed Info Center. 

Stop the Itching!

As the weather warms up, fleas and ticks will once again be looking for new homes among your pets. Why should you treat even if you’ve never had any problems?

Fleas can be picked up at the park, in the yard, or from contact with other animals. I even heard a story of an indoor cat that got fleas from a stray cat that was living under the house!

Fleas take 6 to 8 weeks to make themselves at home and it may take that long before you notice the excessive itching, biting, or dots of blood that mark a flea’s residence. By then, the fleas have laid eggs and have a whole new family living in your pet’s fur.

Even after the initial flea treatment, it may take a month or more to rid your pet of the larva and eggs that have buried themselves beneath the skin. That’s why products like Frontline recommend monthly treatments.

Besides spot treatments, other options are the flea collar, which works in the head and neck area, or shampoos and sprays, which are limited to a few days effectiveness. Most of these work on adult fleas only. Oral medication keeps flea eggs from hatching, but is ineffective on adult fleas.

Flea prevention also includes home and yard maintenance. Insect growth regulators sprayed in your yard can help keep flea numbers down. There are also sprays and powders for the home. Animal bedding, furniture, and carpets should be vacuumed or cleaned regularly.

Although providing for your pet’s comfort alone is a good reason to stave off a flea infestation, keep in mind that fleas like human flesh too. Although you won’t want to put flea collars on your kids, you will want to take the appropriate steps to create a hostile living environment for fleas.

Pets and Planting

Spring is here and if you haven’t already mapped out your gardening and landscaping, you’re considering it.

If you have pets, be especially careful which flowers you choose. The following flowers can be dangerous to their health. (Click on image to enlarge).

If you believe your pet has ingested any part of these plants or bulbs, call your veterinarian or the Pet Poison Helpline at 800-213-6680. Even if you don’t see any adverse signs at first, that doesn’t mean your pet hasn’t been affected. Keep a sample of whatever it is may have been chewed or eaten.

The ASPCA recommends you keep hydrogen peroxide and a bulb syringe on hand for poisoning emergencies.

Also be especially careful with pest baits, insecticides, and fertilizers. Most of them are poisonous to humans and animals. If you believe your pet has gotten into these items, keep the container for your call to the vet.

Best wishes for a beautiful yard and healthy pets!

Super Dog

As a dog lover, you already know how amazing canines can be. Did you know that there are “special powers” some dogs have that defy explanation but have been helpful to humans for centuries?

For example, dogs (and cats) have been known to sense when a woman is pregnant. Experts are not sure whether it’s the hormone changes, emotional changes, or changes in routine, but animals seem to be able to detect pregnancy before a traditional pregnancy test! The animal behavior seems to fall into either a pattern of extreme affection and protectiveness, or uncharacteristic aloofness and territory marking.  (Source:  Pregnancy-Info.net)

Also, seizure-alert dogs are dogs that are able to notify someone with epilepsy or a seizure disorder that a seizure is imminent. Again, the exact reason dogs are able to sense the seizure before it happens is somewhat of mystery- whether it’s behavioral changes or something that they can smell. Dogs will bark, whine, lick, or paw their epileptic-prone owners before an event. Unlike seeing-eye dogs, the behavior cannot be trained, and is not breed-specific.  (Source:  National Geographic)

Dogs can also detect several types of cancer. With training, they can detect cancer in the breath of lung, breast, colon, bladder, ovarian and skin cancer patients. Researchers  in Japan are working with an 8-year-old black lab named Marine to research the use of special dogs to provide non-invasive ways of detecting cancer. Marine is accurate 93% of the time in distinguishing between cancerous and benign colorectal polyps. (Sources:  National Geographic and Global Animal)

The most important sense that dogs have is probably their sense of humor. Whether or not dogs can actually understand humor in the intellectual sense, some breeds are more apparently playful than others. Setters, spaniels, retrievers, and poodles tend to be more playful. Scientists liken playful canine behavior to the socialization of a young child, in that behavior that gains positive attention tends to be repeated. However, it’s hard to believe that your dog doesn’t know what he’s doing when he jumps out at you and startles you, or when she presents your underwear to your houseguests. (Source:  Modern Dog)

Your dog may be more than just a common house pet. For all you know, he may be able to prevent disease, protect the unborn, and keep you in stitches. He may just be… Super Dog!!!

Halloween tips from Maizie the dog

Even if you or your kids like dressing crazy, going to parties, or begging for candy, Halloween is not so much fun. We dogs don’t like strangers to begin with, and there are some really strange characters wandering the streets during trick or treat. Here are some ideas to keep us pets safe on Halloween.

• Keep us inside. There are a bunch of crazies out there who like to pull mean pranks on Halloween. We’d rather be with you.

• Keep us in another room. I want to greet everyone who comes to the door and protect you from all those strange characters. Let me stay somewhere more quiet and peaceful.

• Keep the treats out of reach. I’ll eat anything that smells good, and I don’t have hands to unwrap it. I know that chocolate is bad for me, but I can’t help but be curious. Remove the temptation!

• Keep candles and jack-o-lanterns out of the way. I can’t control my tail, and half the time I’m too excited to watch where I’m going. I don’t want to get hurt or start a fire.

• Don't dress me up! I know you think we look cute, but costumes are sometimes dangerous, uncomfortable and our friends make fun of us.

• Take me for a walk or a run before dark. It's so much nicer to have had some exercise before the festivities begin so if I have to be in another room by myself, at least I can take a much needed nap.

Enjoy the holiday, and stay safe!

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AGAIN, PLEASE TELL 10 FRIENDS!

Is your dog a public nuisance?

These are the local laws where I live.  Does your dog need some training to avoid being a public nuisance?

A dog shall be deemed a public nuisance for any of the following reasons (but not limited to):

1) If such a dog is found to be at large;

2) If such dog shall persistently and prolongedly bark or howl;

3) If found without wearing a license and a vaccine tag as required by Section B of this bylaw;

4) If found in a schoolyard, public or private recreation area, store, or shopping area except that a “seeing eye” dog (or other certified assistance dog) under the care and control of its owner shall be deemed to be exempt from this provision;

5) For having bitten or attacked any person;

6) For having killed or maimed or otherwise damaged any wild or domestic animal;

7) For chasing a domesticated animal, pedestrian, or vehicle on a way to which the public has a right to access within the Town;

8) For damaging or destroying property that does not belong to its owner or keeper;

9) Except that a police dog acting in the line of duty shall not be considered a public nuisance;

10) Except that a dog being used as a so-called “hunting dog,” which is being supervised as such by a person demonstrating the ability to control such dog so that it will not be a threat to public safety, shall not be considered a public nuisance;
 
Source:  Town of Norfolk Animal Regulations