Dog Names Blog June 2007
Archived pages from our Dog Names Blog June 2007
Poodles: Determining What Your Dog Will Be Like As An Adult
Dog breeders and behaviorists may use what's called "puppy tests" or "temperament tests" to predict what a Poodle, or any other breed will act like when it grows up. Technically, temperament testing assesses puppies for motor ability, sensory and emotional states, sociability, problem-solving ability, interaction with other dogs, and interaction with people.
Poodle puppies are tested at specific ages for their responses to stimuli or situations; they are then assessed as having temperaments such as outgoing, aggressive, passive or timid, dominant or dependent.
Besides temperament testing, it's also called puppy testing, puppy evaluation testing, or puppy aptitude testing - which can make the task of deciphering terms and meanings breeders and other canine professionals use difficult for prospective puppy buyers. However, you can determine some characteristics through puppy tests, such as:
1. Level of dominance.
2. Whether the pup is receptive to training.
3. Whether the pup will retrieve.
4. Whether the pup is outgoing or introverted.
5. Whether the pup 1s people oriented or antisocial.
If you're in the market for a Poodle, click here for more info about this breed
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Do You Like A Comfortable Bed? So Does Your Dog
Here's 3 tips that you're dog would appreciate you knowing...
1. Buy a loose-fill bed: As far as comfort is concerned, it doesn't matter all that much what kind of bed you buy. To give the most pawing satisfaction, however, you may want to get a bed that's made from loose fill - from cedar chips, for example - rather than a solid mattress. This gives dogs the opportunity to move the filling around when they paw, which is closer to what they'd experience naturally.
2. Give them a bed of their own: Most dogs appreciate having a bed that's theirs and theirs alone. Even when they're reluctant to use it at first, the gradual accretion of personal smells will make it part of their territory, and they'll want to go there when it's time to sleep. Dog beds are made to withstand a lot of abuse, and most have washable covers as well.
3. Put the bed where your dog will use it: No one enjoys spending $50 for a comfortable bed, only to watch their dog give it an indifferent sniff before curling up on a corner of the couch. Since dogs are intensely attuned to territory, you'll need to be accommodating in finding the best place to put the bed. If there's one spot where your dog always settles down to sleep, you'll want to put the bed as close to that spot as possible.
Here's more on this subject...
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Dog Collars: Giving Your Dog A New Leash On Life
Yep, we know that dog collars and leashes are two different things, but we couldn't resist the joke.
If you're shopping for a dog collar, here's some tips on choosing the right one.
Collars come in a wide variety of styles, colors, and materials. The two common types of collars are training collars and buckle collars.
The purpose of a training collar is for you to be able to guide your dog or to check your dog if necessary. (A check is a tug on the leash followed by an immediate release of tension on the leash.) A check is used when you want your dog to stop doing something. However, the check is a form of negative reinforcement and an unpleasant experience for any dog.
Collars for the trained dog are called buckle collars. They are either leather, nylon, or canvas. For the untrained dog, buckle collars are virtually useless. Trying to control a dog with a buckle collar would be difficult. Some dog owners prefer to use a harness, which is perfectly fine for dogs that do not pull or for small dogs, where pulling is not terribly objectionable. But for a medium-sized or large dog that pulls, harnesses are not a good idea because you give up the control that you are trying to achieve. The dog literally leans into the harness and drags you wherever he wants to go. The only exception for using a harness on an untrained dog is if the dog has a neck injury.
Click here for more dog collar info
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Dog Toys: Choosing The Right Ones For Your Pup
You will need an assortment of toys that are appropriate for your puppy’s size, age and personal preferences.
Safe, fun and interactive doggy toys are recommended. A good example of interactive toy is the red, hard rubber "beehive" toy that bounces erratically when dropped. Your puppy will soon learn to drop it himself.
Some balls are meant to be thrown and retrieved while others like the big boomer ball can be pushed, hit and nosed by the puppy alone. A ball with a bell inside keeps interest in the game. Rope toys are great for mild, controlled tug-of-war and also for solitary chewing. Rawhides offer hours of busy chewing and are more occupational than play. A plush dinosaur, hedgehogs and numerous other characters produce sounds that range from squeaks to roars.
Watch your puppy when he is playing with chew toys, because not every toy is safe for every dog. Some dogs confuse the concept of "play" with "destroy" and are interested only in destroying whatever toy you buy. Stick with toys that require your participation, or, for solitary play, the larger-sized hard rubber toys and balls and good-sized rawhide bones.
For more information on dog toys, check out this page we have dedicated to this topic
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More Cute Dog Pictures!
So why build a page with more cute dog pictures?
Actually you should be thankful we did, why? because we could have built a page featuring pictures of...
-Our recent trip to Branson Missouri
-Grandma Gerties Birthday Bash
-Me attempting to do the Hula while on vacation in Hawaii
Instead, we thought that you'd appreciate seeing more dog pictures instead. We hope you enjoy them!
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Dog Bone Tips And Information
Give your dog a bone about twice a week as a special treat. Dogs love large beef bones, raw chicken necks, and the tips off chicken wings.
If you are not sure how long they have been in the supermarket case, douse them with boiling water to kill any bacteria before feeding.
The benefit of feeding bones is that they give your dog beautiful, pearly white teeth that do not need to be cleaned. However, feeding too many bones will give him constipation and hard, chalky stools. Also, be careful to give your dog only large bones that cannot splinter.
When you give your dog a bone, leave him alone. Dogs get possessive about their bones. They are one of the few items that may cause dogs to growl at you if you try to take one away from them. It is a very special treat, and he wants to be in a place to relax and enjoy it. Let your dog go to his crate, which is the perfect place for him to enjoy his bone in peace. Give him a few hours to indulge himself. After a few days of chewing a fresh bone, it loses its magic, and most dogs will allow you to pick them up or handle them.
Before purchasing dog bones from your local pet store, here's a few things you should know...
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The Great Labrador Retriever
The Labrador Retriever's keen sense of smell and ability to train have earned him a place in many police and military forces around the world. During World War II, Labrador Retrievers were used throughout Europe to scout fields for undetected land mines. They were credited with many finds and exhibited a stick-to-it-iveness not found in other breeds that were tested for the job. They have also been trained as messengers to cover terrain that is all but impassable by man.
Many municipalities currently employ the services of skilled Labrador police dogs. They are primarily called upon for scent-discrimination details, such as tracking criminals in buildings or detecting hidden narcotics, weapons, and bombs. Once a substance has been detected, the
dog does not retrieve the material unless specifically ordered by his master, but rather indicates the location to his trainer. This is to insure against possible injury to the dog.
Here's more about this facinating breed.
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