Dachshund in the sunshine

Little Hotdogs with Big Attitude – Is the Dachshund Right for You?

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So you’re thinking about getting a dachshund – well you might want to ask yourself the following two questions first:

1. Do you have a pronounced affinity for small, brave creatures with Napoleon complexes?

2. Do you have food that you are willing to share?

If the answer to both these questions is yes, then a dachshund may be right for you! There may very well be a lot more that goes into raising this popular breed but those are the two most salient points.

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Border Collie Herding Sheep

The Workaholic of the Dog World – Is the Border Collie Right for You?

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So you are thinking of getting a Border Collie. The answer can probably be summed up in one question.

Do you have an endless well of energy?

The Border Collie is definitely a great match for someone who is willing to be as active as they are. Are you interested in putting in the training and willing to get involved in activities including tracking, dog sports, obedience training, flying disc and others that involve agility and co-ordination.

Then the Border Collie might be for you! Read on after the break.

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Friday Fun

Friday Fun – Funny Dog Video of the Week

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Its Friday again – doesn’t the week seem to fly on by. Today here are three funny dog videos from the last week that brought a smile to our face.

Hit the break to see the videos.

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Robin Williams Pet Pug Leonard – Pet of the Week

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Its been a few weeks since we heard the tragic news that Robin Williams took his own life. He was truly a remarkable man who touched so many of us through the magic of laughter and with his generosity.

While you may remember him for his many great movie performances, Williams was also an avid animal lover and animal rights activist. Not only did he support animal welfare, Williams adopted a vegan lifestyle and refused to wear animal products such as leather or wool.

Williams adopted a Pug called Leonard who he went everywhere with. “For pure loyalty, there is nothing like a pug,” he said in a Q&A with The Sun.

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Afghan Hound sitting down

Three large dog breeds for those who are after a ‘Real Dog’

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If you love large dogs then today’s post is for you. We are going to have a look at three popular large dog breeds and why you should choose them for your new pet!

1. Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound

Afghan Hound

One of the oldest dogs in existence the Afghan Hound is a combination of power and elegance. This regal breed sets some real style and is dubbed the “Aristocrats” of the noble dog world.

It is distinguished by its thick, fine, silky coat and its tail with a ring curl at the end.

This regal look comes with a regal behaviour though. They are independent thinkers who don’t particularly care about pleasing you, they may display passive resistance by bracing their legs and refusing to move. You must show them, through absolute consistency, that you mean what you say.

Is the Afghan Hound Right For You?

Afghan Hounds need access to a large fenced area — fenced because these independent dogs have been known to take off and not come back. If there is a dog club in your area, get your Afghan Hound involved in lure coursing (chasing a mechanised lure around a track or across an open field). This is an appropriate outlet for the full-speed galloping behaviours that are “hardwired” into his genes.

See our full Afghan Hound Guide

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Cat with an Evil Look

Is There a Small Part of Your Pet That is a Jerk?

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Take a quick glance over at little Fido sitting by the fire or Trapper jumping around playing outside. Could he perhaps be….just a little bit….surely not.

Well judging by the following Video there is definitely a chance that your pet is a Jerk – at least a small tiny part that is hidden deep inside. Ok, yes I realise this is not a popular view, we all love our pets deeply and would do anything for them. At the very least lets take a look at some of the just what could be lucking inside.

This video is one of the funniest I have seen for a long time (maybe that says something about me), I especially laughed out loud at the guy doing sit ups. Check it out after the break.

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Christmas Pugs

Love Pugs? Love Christmas? Check out these Christmas Pugs!

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Its that time of year again! As we roll ever closer to Christmas its time again to get our pets involved with this age old tradition.

To start off the countdown today we bring you Christmas Pugs.

Love pugs & christmas then you will love this clip. Hate christmas but love pugs? Still worth checking out! Love christmas but hate pugs take a peak anyway. Not a fan of either….well we tried 😛 Read more

Some Helpful Tips for Untrainable Dog Syndrome

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Dogs whose behaviour cause trouble to their owner, environment, as well as the dog, endanger health and safety have the so called “untrainable dog syndrome”. It is important to note that there is a difference between teaching the dog certain behaviour and solving problematic manners.

Troubling behaviour may occur as a result of the emotional state of the dog, high stress levels, unfavourable effect of the environment where the dog resides, training the dog with the use of force, pain or any other health disorder. Untrainable dog syndrome requires full attention and individual approach of the both dog owner and the dog.

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What To Look For When Choosing A Dog School

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Dealing with problematic dog behavior is a team work in which the owner and the dog behavior consultants participate, and, if necessary, so do veterinarians and other therapists. The ultimate success, visible as a change in the dog’s behavior, is only possible with the maximum commitment and effort which is the reason why it is crucial to know what to look for when choosing a dog school.

The suitability of the person who is giving the professional help is the first of many steps on the road to a better and happier coexistence with your dog.

What to look for when choosing Dog School

It is important to stress out that there is a difference between teaching a dog certain commands, such as heal and fetch, and solving problematic behaviors like aggression, destruction, urinating inside and barking too much. Accordingly there is a difference in the level of qualifications and knowledge among persons conducting obedience classes (course leaders, instructors) and those engaged in counseling when dealing with problematic dog behavior (dog behavior consultants).

With this in mind, when looking for a dog schools and someone who will help you with your dog, look for a person who has completed their educations in the field of animal behavior and works using only positive methods and new concepts. A positive and all-inclusive approach based on scientific findings is far more effective than the traditional ones based on wrong assumptions about dog behavior, such as dominance, alpha status, and the use of violent and rough techniques which will only result in bigger problems and the destruction of the dog-owner bond.

Make sure they treat dogs with love and respect – even though this should be a main condition for this type of job that’s not always the case. A person who doesn’t show empathy for dogs, their needs and feelings but considers them to be mindless beings who only act upon their urges is in fact a person who has very little knowledge about dogs and therefore can’t give your dog the help he needs.

One of the most important things you should pay attention to when picking a school for your dog is whether they use devices which cause dogs discomfort and pain. If that is the case stay away from them! No matter the “weight” of the problem, there isn’t a single reason or excuse for hurting a dog. Devices such as chokers, spiked training collars and dog shock collars in anyone’s hands leave adverse effects on the dog’s health (spine, thyroid, heart) as well as the dog’s behavior.

Don’t go to a school which doesn’t even want to meet you or your dog. Just like a veterinarian can’t know what your dog’s sickness is without examining him first, a dog trainer shouldn’t draw conclusions about the dog’s behavior without previously seeing the dog, meeting the family he lives with and gathering enough information to see if the dog needs a dog school or just obedience classes.

In conclusion you should look for a dog school whose only object is to find the cause of the problematic behavior; the reason why the dog acts the way he acts in certain conditions and situations.

Preparing Your Dog for Your Newborn Baby

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Many people stress about what they should do with their dog when the baby comes – should they give the dog away or it’s going to be safe for the baby? It can all turn well if you prepare your dog for the new situation, so here are some things you should keep in mind when preparing your dog for the newborn baby.

Your dog will sense the excitement about the arrival of the new family member, but it’s not a bad idea to introduce him with the newcomer as well.

When he’s in the good mood give your dog something that belongs to the baby, such as shirt or a cap. Praise him while he smells baby’s things so he can develop positive and good feelings toward the baby.

When the baby is first brought home one person should hold the baby while the other one holds the dog on a short leash. If he behaves well let him smell the baby, if you however feel any form of aggression from the dog or the baby starts crying cut the introduction and postpone it for a couple of days. The dog should be kept under control but without tension. Later on, when both the baby and the dog relax you won’t need the leash anymore but don’t leave the dog alone with your newborn.

dog and newborn baby

Every time you bring your newborn close to the dog, say his name gently, show him to the baby and interpret his behavior. If baby starts crying due to sudden bark take her to your arms, comfort her and explain that is normal and that’s the way dogs talk.

Before the newborn your dog had all the attention in the family and that will most certainly change, but pets usually behave well and know their place in the family so you shouldn’t worry too much about the dog being jealous. Whether the animal will feel mismatched, neglected and standoffish upon the arrival of the new member is completely up to you and your behavior toward the dog and the baby. If the family habits and customs you shared with your dog don’t change drastically and if you introduce the baby and the dog in the right way – there is nothing to be afraid of.

It might happen that the dog pees on the crib, stroller or a place where the baby spends a lot of time, but this shouldn’t be interpreted as jealousy or bad behavior, this is just a way the dog expresses fear of the baby and masks her scent with his. So don’t scold your dog for doing this but allow him access to the baby’s crib, clothes and blankets. Again, don’t make your dog feel neglected because of the arrival of the new family member.

While preparing your dog for the your newborn baby it is important to mention that, despite of the amount of time you plan to dedicate to the child (which is perfectly normal) you always have to find at least a little bit of time for your pet. Also, avoid any sudden changes of what the dog is used to, such as the feeding time.