| November 4th, 2008 | Birds |
Where I live we have so many birds. All different types of birds fly around my house and neighborhood all day. Last night I heard this knocking outside my window. I just kept hearing it for hours, it was starting to get very annoying, so i decide to go outside and check it out. As soon as I got outside it stopped. That is always what happens. Then I heard it one more time from the other side of the fence. I slowly snuck over to where I thought the sound was coming and there it was. The most beautiful Woodpecker that i had ever seen. Well, the truth is that i don’t know if it was the most beautiful one at all, it was dark, and it was way up in a tree. But I know that it was a woodpecker from the sound that it was making. We also get the big birds that are probably the biggest poopers around. Seagulls are a nuisance. They are loud and make a terrible sound. It sounds like a dying cat, only worse. But there is one thing that seagulls do better than any other birds. They can poop on a bulls eye. I have seen more people get popped on by seagulls, more than any other bird. And out of the two dozen or so bird poopings by the seagulls, half of them have been direct head hits.One time at time at the Holiday Parade in my home town, the cheerleaders were marching in front of our schools float, and one of the cheerleaders had an encounter with the dreaded seagull. It pooped right in her eye. Now that was one of the funniest things that I have ever seen happen to a person, by a bird.
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| April 29th, 2008 | Can You Control Who The Alpha Dog Is When You Own Two Dogs |
A dog owner named Beth writes: Dear Mr. Katz, I have two cocker spaniels that are one year apart. The red and white female (Cassie)is almost two and spayed. The buff male (Peanut) is just one 1 years old and neutered. Peanut was rescued from a cocker shelter in October of 1999. He is incredibly devoted, a very good listener and quick learner. He is the ideal dog as he is very eager to please. Cassie on the other hand is the most independent and stubborn dog I have ever encountered (you’ve probably seen worse). She used to only listen to commands when she wanted but I have put a stop to that. I have had numerous problems with her dominant tendencies but have come a long way. She now views me as the alpha and only displays aggression when she is in pain - specifically when I brush her. She has been diagnosed with allergies, is on allergy shots and has bad skin. This is not my problem though as I think I can work through this one with the use of the training collar. ADAM INTERJECTS: It’s very difficult to correct pain-response aggression. It’s more of a reaction than anything else. Use the muzzle and restrain the dog when you need to give her shots. Other times (just so that she doesn’t build a negative association to the muzzle) put it on, take it off, and then give her a cookie. Do this at random times. BETH CONTINUES: Cassie displays a lot of dominance aggression toward Peanut. She growls when he tries to pick up a bone near her and when they play (or fight) she will “hump” him. I always feed her first, give her treats first, pet her first but Peanut just doesn’t seem to get it. He will walk through the door before Cassie but after me. He is always one head length ahead of her when we walk outside. Further, I think he is trying to challenge her because the playing time more recently has turned into fighting. It’s more barking than anything — to date there has been no blood. However, Cassie usually is on top of him, pinning him to the ground, and he lets out this barking/yelping noise when she releases, he goes right after her again until I break it up. She also displays the same aggression toward the cat. If the cat comes into her “area” when she is comfortable in front of the fire or if the cat even walks by one of her bones she goes crazy. She’ll chase the cat away with growling and quickly running after her. ADAM INTERJECTS AGAIN: You can correct this behavior. She will learn not to chase the cat in the house. BETH CONTINUES: So here’s the big question. What do I do? Do I continue to treat Cassie as the next in the pack? Do I let them fight it out? Do I continue to scold her for chasing the cat? HELP! Any advice you can offer will be much appreciated. Your book is great by the way…. Regards, Dear Beth: Thanks for the question. There is ONE big point you’re not conceptualizing: You can only affect your relationship with each dog. You can be dominant to both dogs. Or you can be dominant to only one dog. Or you can be viewed as the Omega dog (the most submissive one) by both dogs. However, you cannot control how your dogs view each other. This is a topic I’ve written about in past issues of my e-zine. I’m going to reprint it for your benefit: A subscriber wrote: “Thanks, Adam. I think I found the answer. ‘We determine who will be the alpha dog.’ Correct? “ My reply: “No, no no! You cannot do this! It’s impossible!!! The dogs’ temperaments are inherent. Only you can determine if you’re dominant to the other dogs, by being MORE DOMINANT. But you cannot work it out for them. You can control the dogs’ behaviors and not allow any scuffles if you: - are the alpha dog in the pack. and - you have voice control. But as soon as you leave the dogs together– unsupervised– and go out for dinner… all bets are off. The dominant one will still be the dominant one. Think of taking a group of four kids. Kid#1 will grow up to be a Navy Seal, and then an Admiral. Now, when you leave the house every day for work, you may say, “Kid#4… you’re in charge.” And as long as you’re around, Kid#4 may get the privileges of being the “so-called” top dog. But as soon as you leave… It’s going to be a given that kid#3 and kid#4 are going to be the bottom dogs, and kid #1 and kid#2 will scrap-it-out to see who is REALLY the “top dog.” Their genetics (and to some extent, upbringing– depending upon their age) determines this. But it is the toughest kid who will become the group leader. Even though kid #2 may be fairly tough in his own right, he will test kid#1… but will ultimately lose… as kid#1 is too tough. Now, if kid#1 gets sick and has to stay in bed, then kid#2 becomes the new kid#1. In other words, the “Alpha dog.” Until you get home. Then you’re the alpha dog, and he becomes the beta dog. Get it? Beth, as far as you’ve described your dogs’ interactions… it doesn’t sound to me like you’ve got a problem. It sounds just like play, or perhaps some dominance scuffles. However, without seeing the dogs in person it’s impossible to tell for sure. That’s all for now, folks!
Adam G. Katz is the author of the book, “Secrets of a Professional Dog Trainer: An Insider’s Guide To The Most Jealously Guarded Dog Training Secrets In History.” Get a free copy of his report “Games To Play With Your Dog” when you sign up for his free weekly dog training tips e-zine at: www.dogproblems.com Posted in Puppies + Pets | Comments Off
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| April 19th, 2008 | A Bark In The Park: The 9 Best Places To Hike With Your Dog In The Shasta/Rogue River Region |
Blue Ribbon - Prescott Park/Roxy Ann Peak Much of this land in Medford remains undeveloped; the main loop around Roxy Ann Peak is a 2.4-mile loop. You can shoot off on any number of radiating smaller trails on these beautiful - but steep - slopes. #2 - Marble Mountain Wilderness Canine hikers will find the splendors of the Marble Mountain Wilderness exquisitely preserved. Dozens of species of trees and lots of animals call these lands around the Salmon River home. There are 89 pristine lakes for your dog to swim here. #3 - Mount Ashland Meadows Wildflowers are a special treasure of hiking in the Shasta/Rogue River region. The 3.4-mile out-and-back trail at Mount Ashland leads through not one, not two, but five showy meadows. This subalpine meadowscape changes regularly with the seasons so make sure to hike this trail often during the year. #4 - McCloud Falls/Fowler Campground The trail along the McCloud River leads to three distinctly different waterfalls. The hike gets crowded but you can seek solitude by fanning out on the other available trails on the south slopes of Mt. Shasta. #5 - Westside Trail and Mary Lake Trail Redding is becoming nationally known for the quality and variety of its trails. The trail around Mary Lake is an easy 3/4-mile stroll with your dog while the Westside Trails offer four miles of hillside walks serving up sweeping views of town. #6 - Bear Creek Greenway The Bear Creek Greenway will one day be a continuous 21-mile recreational route running from Ashland to Central Point. The trailheads in Ashalnd and southern Medford each sit next to a fenced dog park. #7 - Sacaramento River Trail This award-winning urban trail travels on an 8-foot wide paved path with an eleavtion gain of no more than 200 feet in its entire six-mile loop. The route visits both sides of the Sacramento River in Redding. #8 - OC & E Woods Line State Trail This successful rail-to-trail conversion use the right-of-way of the Oregon-California and Eastern Railroad. Once cattle and timber moved along this route. Today it is Oregon’s longest linear park - any length of canine hike can be crafted from the trail. The first seven miles from Klamath Falls are paved. #9 - Jacksonville Woods Residents of Jacksonville, honored by the National Trust for Historic Preservation as one of its Dozen Distinctive Destinations, recognize that their town’s woodlands are as valuable as the historic buildings. They have pre- served hundreds of acres and 8 miles of peaceful trails throughout town. I am the author of over 20 books, including 8 on hiking with your dog, including the Posted in Puppies + Pets | Comments Off
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| April 2nd, 2008 | 3 Tips For Dealing With Dog Emergencies |
Have you ever thought about what you need to do should your dog - or another dog - ever suffer a serious, life-threatening injury? What if they have a severe allergy to an insect bite or a bee sting? It’s great to know your vet’s phone number, but what if something happens during off hours? What if you don’t know where the closest emergency animal clinic is located? Augh! Enough with the questions already, right? Any emergency is stressful and scary, and one involving that furry little four-legged member of your family is no exception. The toughest of owners can be instantly reduced to helpless balls of mush if something’s wrong with their dogs and they can’t figure out what to do. 1. Preparation is key. The key to getting through a veterinary emergency is preparation. You may think you have that covered with a first aid kit and having the phone number to your vet handy, but what if there isn’t enough time to move your dog? You need to be well-versed in some of the more common animal emergencies just in case a situation ever arises. And hey, if a situation never arises, you’ll still feel more confident knowing that you have the ability to deal with one. 2. Know how to care for wounds. Did you know that you shouldn’t use hydrogen peroxide on a bleeding wound? Nope. It slows clotting to the area, which means your dog could actually lose more blood than he would if you didn’t use the peroxide at all. In fact, the best way to treat a deep, severely bleeding wound is to apply a clean cloth and hold it in place for five minutes, then tape the cloth to the wound. That original cloth should never be removed - that also slows clotting - and should instead be layered with more clean cloths if blood soaks through. 3. Know what to do about poisoning. Did you know that certain varieties of toads, salamanders, newts, and other amphibians are poisonous if licked? Hey, guess who loves to hold little woodland critters in his mouth! Your dog. If you notice your pup drooling, whining, and wiping at his mouth after a trip into the forest, get him to a clean water source and rinse his mouth thoroughly. While the poison can be fatal if left in the mouth, it’s fairly easy to cleanse from the tongue and glands. Now imagine all of the scenarios that can happen to your dog, from fractured limbs to choking and everything in between. Do you really want to risk not knowing how to handle them? You don’t have to anymore, since I’ve written “Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch” book to help you learn how to cope with nearly any emergency as well as have the basis for handling all of the everyday and lifelong problems and situations you’ll face with your dog. From choosing toys to cancer and everything in between, it’s all in the book… as well as how to create the most effective first aid kit and handle the most common emergencies. Listen, even the most experienced dog owner needs a little help and advice now and then. “Secrets to a Healthy and Happy Pooch” is that constant source of help and advice. About the Author Gerald Njuguna is the owner of a dog lovers’ site - DogPerfection.com - http://www.dogperfection.com. If you a looking for information dealing with everything to do with dog health, dog reciepes and ways to spoil your dogs for under $10 then visit us today at http://doglover.dogperfection.com to get your free gifts. Posted in Puppies + Pets | Comments Off
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