Jordyalan Border Collies - Border Collie Breeders, Victoria, Australia.


More Of Jordyalan's Interesting Dog Articles Pure Breed, Mixed Breed or Designer Breed With hundreds of pure breed dogs, an almost infinite number of mixed breeds and a growing number of designer breed dogs, it is hard to decide which one is a good fit for your family. Some dogs might be good with children and thrive on the noise and commotion of the family home. These same dogs might be badly behaved and horribly sad if they spend most of their days alone without human interaction. Other dogs are just the opposite and are happy with a quiet environment and become over stimulated and badly behaved around children. Pure Breed Dogs One of the biggest advantages of a pure breed dog is that, to some degree, there is predictability when you select your dog as a puppy. Of course, not all adult dogs of a breed act the same way. However, you can make an educated guess as to the dog’s future looks, health problems and behavioral characteristics. If you are looking for a good jogging partner, you can find one. If you are looking for a dog that is likely to be good with kids, you can find that too. In order to have the best chance of getting a dog that is characteristic of the breed, it is important that you get your puppy from a reputable breeder. While most breeders operate for a profit, a reputable breeder also has the dogs’ welfare at heart and treats them well. A breeder that is primarily concerned with profit may feed the dogs less nutritious food and keep the dogs in less than pristine living conditions. The best way to find a reputable breeder is to do a little research and to visit the breeder, if at all possible. Mixed Breed Dogs Many family pets that have been adopted from the pound or obtained when a dog in the neighborhood had puppies are mixed breed dogs. Mixed breed dogs are also known as mutts. Mutts can be wonderful pets. However, it is important that you know as much about their parentage as you can. If you know what breeds the dog descends from, then you will know as much as possible about its potential temperament and health problems. Designer Dogs Designer dogs are gaining in popularity. Unlike mixed breed “mutts” that happen by chance, designer dogs are a purposeful breeding of two specific breeds. Careful research and thought has gone into the combinations of dogs that are being bred. The breeding is meant to result in a dog that has the best characteristics of both its parents. The thought is, for example, to produce a wonderful family dog that does not shed. Sometimes this is successful and sometimes it is not. Designer dogs are expensive and very popular right now and can be wonderful pets if they have the right parents. However, some people who are not in favor of this purposeful cross breeding believe that these dogs are simply expensive mutts. So, before you welcome your new dog into your home be sure to consider to pros and cons of pure breeds, mutts and designer dogs. They all can make a wonderful family pet. Article by Jake Roberts of Oh My Dog Supplies - the place to get your dog car seat cover before shedding season!
How to Look After An Older Dog Though you may have known your dog his or her entire life, you may be finding that as s/he enters his or her golden years, the lifestyle you share is changing. There are many elements and needs in a dog’s life that change with time. Some of these needs are just fine, some aren’t so great, and some are just different. It is important that you recognize them, though, so that you know what your dog is going through, and you can continue to provide him or her with the highest amount of comfort and joy. Things you may notice in an aging dog include: “Bathroom accidents” – even if your dog has been perfectly housebroken for years, as an older dog, s/he may begin experiencing less control over the bladder. However, you should never just assume that sudden bathroom accidents are only a sign of age. They may also be the sign of a urinary infection or some other physical condition that makes him or her incontinent. If this starts to happen, visit your vet to make sure that all is well. Behavioral changes – as your pet ages, you may notice that s/he acts differently than when s/he was a puppy. Though this is normal, it is always best to consult with your vet to make sure that it’s just “cranky old pooch” syndrome, and not changes in sight, hearing, or pain from something more serious. Low endurance – though older dogs still enjoy going for walks, you may notice that s/he is getting much more enjoyment out of slower walks that aren’t quite as long. Walks shouldn’t be too much longer than 20 minutes, and should always end with a drink of water. Don’t take this as a sign that your dog doesn’t need to be walked anymore. Exercise is just as important to an aging dog as it is to one much younger. Fortunately, there are some great steps that you can take to keep your senior dog healthy to make sure that s/he’s enjoying the highest possible quality of life. These include: Taking your dog for a thorough checkup every six months. Make sure that you’re with a good vet with whom you feel that you can comfortably talk and ask questions when they come up. Learn about the many conditions that are most common among older dogs, as well as their symptoms. Should you notice any of these symptoms, be sure to point them out to your vet so that you can discuss the best options for treatment. Use the table below for reference regarding the most common disorders, but make sure to have a more in depth look at other possibilities. Disease Symptoms Kidney Disease- Increased thirst and water intake, increased urination and accidents; weight, muscle and appetite loss; lethargy and anemia; rough coat; vomiting; bad breath. Diabetes- Increased food and water intake; increased urination. Thyroid disease‐ Hypothyroidism (low) Reduced activity, weight gain, hair loss, shivering and reduced cold tolerance; possible irritability. Thyroid disease‐ Hyperthyroidism (high) Weight loss; increased appetite; diarrhea; vocalization Cognitive Dysfunction Syndrome (CDS) - Disorientation (confusion), wandering aimlessly, staring off Into space; decreased or altered response to family members; Abnormal sleep‐wake patterns; loss of housetraining; Increased vocalization. Heart disease-Labored breathing; coughing; sluggishness, fatigue, or Lethargy; shortness of breath; poor exercise tolerance; Fainting or abdominal fluid. Give your senior dog the best dog food that you can. Try to get one that has been formulated for a senior dog’s nutritional and energy needs. Your dog may also enjoy two smaller meals instead of one big one every day. Keep your dog at a healthy weight. Obesity will only make any possible problems worse, and will shorten the length of your dog’s life. If your dog has arthritis, talk to your vet about different possible dietary supplements that can make a difference, such as glucosamine. Pay close attention to your dog’s teeth. Brushing your dog’s teeth every day and having them professionally cleaned when the vet thinks it’s a good ideaIs a great way to avoid oral problems and dangerous infections. Keep up your dog’s vaccinations so that his or her immune system is as supported as possible against the most common ailments. Keep your dog and his or her environment extremely clean, and keep on top of any flea or tick issues. Best of all, don’t forget to enjoy time spent with your senior dog. Do everything possible to keep your dog happy, comfortable, active, and interested in life. The better the quality of your dog’s life, the healthier s/he will be, and the longer s/he’ll live. You’ll find more about looking after an older dog at www.all‐about‐puppies.com Dog Health Care Article: Male Dog Neutering And Female Dog Spaying: When Should It Be Done? In this article, "Male-Dog Neutering And Female-Dog Spaying: When Should It Be Done?", we look at the importance of spaying or neutering your dog as well as the benefits that such a procedure can have on your dog's health (in addition to behavior). Every year thousands and thousands of cats and dogs are euthanized because they lack a home and family to adopt them. We humans are to blame for this situation. Every year the newspapers are full of articles submitted by the S.P.C.A. relating to the number of animals they have had to kill. As responsible pet owners we have to make the decision whether or not we want to contribute to the problem or do our part to keep unwanted pets out of the shelters and off the streets. So when do we need to neuter or spay the animals? We need to decide by the time our pet is 6 to 8 months old whether or not to sterilize him/her. Being a responsible breeder is no easy task and there is no profit to be made. Breeding is done strictly for the betterment and continuation of the breed. The costs of the stud service, the buying or making of a whelping box, the veterinarian bill for the care of the mother dog, possible fees for delivering the pups, puppy food, veterinarian checkups for the puppies, eye exams, worming, fees for docking of the tails, vaccinations, etc., etc., quickly eat up any profits to be made. Then there are the countless sleepless nights waiting for the moment of birth, worrying about the newborn puppies, the noise from yelping puppies keeping you awake. It's simply a labor of love for a responsible breeder. Whether or not you have a mixed breed or a purebred dog you need to take the precaution so that accidental breedings do not happen. If you have an unspayed female dog you dog will every 6 to 10 months go into heat that lasts about 3 weeks. A heat is also known as an oestrus period. During this time the female will have menses or a period, where she will secrete blood from her vagina. This is a messy situation for a house pet. There are protective garments that may be purchased to contain the mess, but also help deter unwelcome entry from male dogs. Also during this time your dogs behaviour may change and she will be less obedient. Unsterilized (un-neutered) male dogs can become aggressive and may show overt sexual behaviour when there are in-season females nearby. The male dogs will mark territory in the neighbourhood or in the home by urinating small amounts. Adolescence, is a trying period. Your male dog and you will likely have confrontations over whom is the alpha personality. Now is the time to remember, that you love your dog, but you are the master. To spay a female dog, a veterinarian removes it's uterus and ovaries. A male dog is neutered when the veterinarian removes the dog's testicles. Both operations are usually safe and require one nights stay at the clinic. The benefits to sterilizing your dog not only include unwanted off-spring, avoiding temperament problems, but also can benefit your dogs health. Having your pet sterilized will decrease the risk of developing tumors in the genital area. Males can develop problems with the prostate gland. Females can develop problems with the mammary glands. Consult your veterinarian before your pet becomes 6 months old. Take a trip to your local S.P.C.A. and take a look at all the homeless cats and dogs before you decide to leave your pet unsterilized. Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson, http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19518. Terrie has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good amount of knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners. Get the best of the canine world right to your inbox - Signup today for the K9Kourier weekly newsletter at and receive a FREE 41 minute MP3 download on "Natural Ways To Care For Your Canine". http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19518 Dog Health Article : Understanding A Dogs Heat Cycle In this Article, "Understanding A Dog's Heat Cycle", we describe the process by which a dog goes through a heat cycle. As usual my new puppy is giving me something to write about. This time it is her first heat. By now a new dog owner should have made the decision to breed their female dog or not. Breeding is not a profitable endeavor, therefore it should be done only to propagate a breed of a dog. Having your dog go through the heat cycle is a messy stressful 3 week or more period. A dog usually experiences a heat cycle twice a year after she reaches 6 months of age. In larger dogs the cycle may be every 9 - 12 months. In some breeds like Basenji's it may only be once a year. There are four stages to a heat cycle. The first is called Proesterus. The vulva swells and there is a bloody discharge. The bitch secretes pheromones which attract the males. This period lasts about 9 days and the dog will not allow a male to mount her. It has been recommended to me that even though some dogs may wash frequently, to protect my carpet, clothes, and furniture, it would be wise to purchase protective panties and use mini-pads. The second stage is called Estrus. The female stills has discharge, but now she will allow a male to mount her. This stage lasts another 9 - 12 days. The third stage is called the Luteal stage. It lasts 2 - 3 months whether or not the dog is pregnant. Some dogs who are not pregnant will experience a false pregnancy. Their mammary glands swell and will secrete fluid. They get nesting instincts and become possessive of their nesting or bedding area. The last stage is the Anestrus cycle. It is a stage of reduced hormonal or ovarian activity. It's the calm before the next heat. During this period, if you are not planning on breeding, you should again consider spaying your dog. Always consult your veterinarian and your breeder for a course of action that is best for you and your dog. Reprinted with permission by Terrie Simpson, http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19518 Terrie has been involved in the dog world for over 28 years and has achieved numerous awards with her Springer Spaniels in tracking and obedience. Over that time, she has amassed a good knowledge about how to keep a dog healthy. She is now happy to give back by sharing her experience with other dog owners. Get the best of the canine world right to your inbox - Signup today for the K9Kourier weekly newsletter at http://k9klearup.com/amx.php?adminid=5090&id=19518&pid=17483 and receive a FREE 41 minute MP3 download on "Natural Ways To Care For Your Canine".
Title: Top Tips For Effectively Training Your Puppy Description: Training your puppy takes time, patience and consistency. A well trained dog will be a well loved and liked member of your family and society. Body: The arrival of your new puppy is an exciting one for the whole family, with perhaps the exception of the cat. However, within minutes of arriving, the cutest little bundle of fur has peed on the good rug and eaten the cat food. A new puppy is much like a new baby, uncertain times and a few sleepless nights ahead. Fortunately, with a little bit of patience, time, and love, training your puppy need not be a harrowing experience for all involved. Read on for some handy puppy training hints: Identification. Once you have settled on the all important name, it is even more important that your puppy realize that "Daisy" or "Basil" is her or his name. Most puppies will instinctively come to "Puppy" for quite some time so try calling the pup by both "Puppy" and its new name together for a couple of days. After this just use the new name. Your puppy needs to associate its name with pleasant things. Whenever you call your dog's name do so in a friendly voice. Never use its name when you are rousing, just use "No!". If your puppy seems to be having trouble identifying with its name start using it more often in conjunction with other good words, for example "Dinner Daisy", or "Walk Daisy". House training. House training is probably the most trying time for new puppy owners. Some puppies get it sooner than others. Use a bit of common sense and timing to get things off to a good start. If you spot your pup peeing or poohing outside praise and reward them immediately. Place your pup outside after all meals and drinks and immediately upon waking. These are all high risk times for accidents. When your puppy has accidents in the house say "No" and take him straight outside. Consistency and patience will eventually win out. Once your puppy figures out what you want he will get with the program. Like babies, some dogs take longer to get total control over their bladders. If this is the case, take your puppy outside to play and when it is over excited, as these are also high risk times for the puppy with dodgy bladder control. Crate training. Crate training can be an invaluable tool for house training. Crate training works on the basic principle that dogs don't like to soil their sleeping quarters. This concept will only work if the crate is small enough. A big crate will encourage young Basil to use a back corner which defeats the purpose. If your dog is going to grow enormously it can be a good idea to invest in a crate with a movable partition. This way you can extend the space when he gets bigger. Crate training teaches your puppy that he has a safe and quiet place to go to when he wants to rest or sleep. Your puppy must feel comfortable and happy in his crate, not imprisoned or punished. Start popping puppy in for a few minutes at a time while you sit and wait. Encourage him with praise, rewards and have toys inside for him to play with. Once your puppy is walking in and out on his own you can try him in there while you leave the room for a couple of minutes max. Once puppy can stay in there for a few minutes you can lengthen the time intervals. Crate training can often only take a few days, but it is important that you let puppy out often so he can relieve himself. Boundaries. Your puppy needs to learn what is OK and not OK. Don't let him on the couch or your bed if down the track you are not planning on sharing with a 40 kilo giant. It is easier to discourage your puppy in the first place than to have to retrain further along. Nipping/mouthing. It is natural for a puppy to play with its litter with its teeth. However, you and your family are not dogs but humans. Discourage all forms of nipping, biting and mouthing immediately. Allowing these behaviors to continue will result in huge social and safety issues down the track. No-one wants to be bitten by your dog in a couple of years. Whenever your puppy nips or mouths say "No" firmly. If they persist say "No" and close their mouth at the same time. Remove your hand, arm, or trouser leg. If they persist put them away from you so they learn that this behavior will result in no attention. Jumping. Puppies and dogs use jumping as a form of attention seeking. While a tiny puppy may not be a problem jumping, a 40 kilo dog is another matter. When Basil jumps say "No" or "Down". If Basil sits straight down praise and reward him. If he keeps jumping ignore him until he settles. Your puppy has to understand that you will ignore him when he jumps and will only receive your attention when he is sitting down. Bed. Your puppy needs a place to sleep. Orthopedic dog beds can be a great choice for puppies who may be genetically susceptible to bone and joint problems in later years. The theory is that the less strain placed on those joints the less diseased they will be later on. Many orthopedic dog beds and foam memory beds can be accommodated in crates. Laundry rooms can make ideal sleeping rooms for puppies initially. Tiled floors make for easy cleaning, and the door to the yard can be easily fixed with a doggy door. Your puppy needs to have a quiet and safe place where he can rest undisturbed. You will need to teach your children to leave Basil alone when he is asleep. Coming when called. Coming when called is one of the most important things that your puppy has to be able to do. Sitting on the ground in a welcoming position is a great way to start. Call the puppy's name in a friendly voice and lavish praise and cuddles when he wanders on over. Eventually you should be able to distract him from playing and other activities and have him come when his name is called. Never punish your puppy when you have just called his name. You may have just found the eaten Nike but if you call his name and yell at him he will associate his name with the punishment, not the Nike that he ate 3 hours ago and has totally forgotten about. Sit. "Sit" is another vital command that your puppy needs to be able to do. Luckily this is a relatively simple task to teach. While saying "Sit" gently push your puppy's butt towards the ground. Your puppy has no alternative but to sit. Once his butt hits the ground praise him lavishly. Try this in batches of 5 or 6 at a time. This is one of the easiest learned commands and from here you can build up. You will be able to teach your puppy that when he is a good boy he gets cuddles, praise, and the random food treat. Your puppy has now been incentivized to be good for you. Lie Down. Once "Basil" has mastered the art of "Sit, the next command is "Lie Down" or "Down". Start with telling your puppy to sit. Once he is sitting say "Down" while at the same time gently moving his legs to one side necessitating him to lie down. When he is down say "Down" again and then "Good boy" and praise. As with sitting this can be done in batches of 5 or 6 at one go. Age appropriate obedience training. Young puppies cannot be expected to do too much. Firstly, they don't really understand English. Secondly, they are still pretty much babies. Making it outside to the bathroom is a pretty big deal initially. Concentrate on getting your puppy to sleep at night, house trained, and crate training, if applicable. Boundary training should be a daily activity as it comes up. For example, if the kids have the puppy on the couch or bed, remove him straight away. Sit, stay, and down should all be concentrated on next. Once you have mastered those commands you will be able to assess your puppy's ability to concentrate. As your dog gets older, he will be able to focus for longer periods of time. Obedience training. Puppy schools and dog obedience classes are excellent for socializing Basil and for learning the basics. The bulk of the obedience work will be done by you at home, but weekly sessions can keep you on the straight and narrow, and ensure you are not teaching or encouraging any bad habits. Dog obedience classes are also excellent for demonstrating to Daisy or Basil that they need to behave themselves even when around other dogs and strangers. At some stage you and you puppy are going to leave home and your puppy needs to know how to behave appropriately out in public. A well behaved and obedient dog is a pleasure to take for a walk or outing. No-one likes an unfriendly or aggressive dog. The more time you put into training your puppy the better behaved and more trustworthy he will be as he gets older and bigger. All on the one page. All family members need to understand that the puppy will only have one set of rules. Discourage the kids from sneak feeding and letting the puppy on couches and beds if that is not what you want. Your dog has to learn to obey everyone in the family, not just you. If your children let the puppy get away with anything the puppy will see them as a replacement litter to play with. That may be fine when Basil doesn't weight much, but who wants an out of control Rottweiler playing roughhouse with the kids in a few years? Your dog needs to have consistency with the rules and boundaries or he will learn there are different rules for everyone in the house. "No!" Whenever your puppy does something wrong you should say "No" in a loud deep voice straight away. You can only say "No" at the time of the crime, not later. Puppies have no idea why you are yelling at them 5 hours after the event, even if you are showing them the destroyed couch. Toys. Puppies need to have their own toys to play with and mangle. This helps prevent the couch and the Nikes from being wrecked. When playing with your puppy be sure to include the toys in the game so your puppy can see that they are for playing with. Never play with valuable items that you do not want destroyed (like the Nikes). When you leave your puppy at home unattended be sure to leave him a good supply of his own toys. Otherwise he will make his own. Playtime. Puppies love playing. Simple instructions and commands can be incorporated into playtime but keep it short and sweet. Any behavior that you do not like while playing should be discouraged. If the pup persists stop playing. He will quickly learn that nipping or whatever will not be tolerated. When your puppy looks tired let him have a snooze. As he gets older he will be able to tolerate longer play times. Conclusion. Training your puppy takes time, patience and consistency. A well trained dog will be a well loved and liked member of your family and society. About The Author: Scott Gray is currently a black lab dog owner and freelance writer for RetrieverFacts.com, which has loads of information about training and raising dogs also products including golden retriever prints and dog beds.


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