I have always thought that if you want a really vicious guard dog, the best way to achieve this is to have a family dog that loves its family. When I was a kid we had a big old dog – a male, black lab and golden retriever mix – named Chester. Chester was a good old dog, and he loved his family. He was never hit, occasionally scolded, and was trained in the old school method of rewarding him with food when he learned a new trick, or sometimes simply performed an old favorite. This old family dog, that …
Author: Tara Wilson
The Unusual Dog Breed: A Few Dogs for Those Seeking a Breed Apart
Unusual dog breeds, though not always American Kennel Club, or AKC, recognized, are not simply mongrels or inferior dogs. Many have long histories and characteristics that set them apart from the breeds most see every day. This is, in itself, a trait that makes them quite desirable to some potential dog owners.
Norwegian lundehund (Norway)
Topping the list, this unusual dog breed has been called “puffer dog” for its puffin hunting ability. What makes this dog breed excel at hunting puffins over their craggy nesting sites are some very odd characteristics. It has six or more toes on each foot, …
Dog Car Sickness: Help Your Puppy Enjoy the Ride
Dogs like to chase cars, but not all dogs enjoy going for a ride in a car. Car sickness in dogs is caused by a variety of factors that can be overcome and your dog can become a welcomed happy passenger, if you start training and preparing them when they are puppies.
Dogs get car sick because they have a full stomach, or due to anxiety about the car ride, or just plain lack of experience that causes them to be fearful of a new situation.
Most puppies will outgrow car sickness and learn to enjoy the ride if taken …
Fun Games to Play with Your Dog
Dogs love to play games, and people can have loads of fun playing games with their dogs. Playing fetch, catch, and ball with a dog is fun, but those aren’t the only games dogs and their owners love to play. I played games with my American Eskimo dog and my Chocolate Lab, and I loved our playtime every bit as much as they did. Try these fun games with your dog. You’ll both get lots of exercise while having more fun than you ever though possible!
Hide and Seek
My dog Jasmine loved to play hide-and-seek, and she understood the …
How to Choose a Dog as a Fashion Accessory
You’ve seen them on the runways, in cars with stars, and even in famous restaurants; miniature dogs being used as fashion complements by stars like Paris Hilton.
Some would call this a moral atrocity, a shameless use of an animal to achieve fashionista status without any care for the animal’s well being whatsoever.
I call it brilliant! Dogs, after all, have always been great fashion statements–just ask Berlington Coat Factory or most of China. Now that the dogs are being kept alive AND fashionable, it should be a solution everyone can agree on!
If you’re thinking about getting a Yorkshire …
Tips on Solving Excessive Barking Behaviour: Using Exercise, Training and Toys to Prevent Problem Barking
Excessive barking is annoying for owners and neighbors. Discover some ways to stop unwanted barking and make life peaceful again.
While a dog’s bark is a natural way for it to communicate, it is also partially a learned behaviour. For example if a dog elicits the response it wants from the barking then it has been rewarded. Dogs bark for many reasons, including:
- Stress
- Excitement
- Boredom
- Loneliness
- Separation anxiety
- Pain or discomfort
If the dog barks for attention and the owner yells at the dog, the dog has still received attention. Good or bad attention, the dog often doesn’t care …
Most Aggressive Dog Breeds
Choosing a dog is a very big decision and one that requires a lot of careful consideration. There are lots of factors that affect which dog is best suited for you, such as the size of the dog, temper of the dog, and many other things. The most popular breeds of dogs are those that tend to be the most obedient and even tempered, but that is not to say that breeds that are not quite as popular aren’t just as great. Although there are many great dogs out there, there are some that are very aggressive and can do …
Dog Beach Safety
Dogs love going to the beach. There are plenty of smells to sniff, friends to greet and things to explore. You need to ensure that their exploration does not affect their safety.
Here are some steps you can take to ensure your dog stays safe and healthy at the beach:
Identification – Your dogs should be appropriately licensed and wear up to date tags. Consider micro-chipping as an added form of identification. If they wander off, identification will enable others to help them find the way home. If you are on vacation, and not staying at home, include identification with …
Automobiles Specifically Designed for People and Dogs
Henry Ford revolutionized travel with the automobile, and since that time it has continued to evolve alongside our modern society. Auto manufacturers have found ways to satisfy many different audiences from soccer moms, to racing enthusiasts and environmental activists. A new sector will be explored by automobile manufactures over the next year, dog owners. More than 63 percent of all U.S. households own a pet and a growing number of dog owners are taking Fido with them when they hit the road. Now, dog lovers will find themselves the targeted audience for research and development and marketing campaigns for future …
Obama Dog Bo Lands President in Doghouse with Critics
Reaction to first puppy Bo, a purebred 6-month-old Portuguese water dog, has been mixed. While the Obama girls are understandably delighted with the adorable little fellow, some feel that by taking in Bo as opposed to a rescue dog, President Obama has broken a solemn promise.
You may recall that President Obama promised his daughters, Sasha and Malia, that he would get them a puppy once the campaign was over. You may also recall that President Obama said on numerous occasions that he would seek out a rescue dog. For instance, during his first news conference as president-elect, he said …