Dog Obedience Training For Your Pet Dog

Getting to know your dog starts by getting to know its breed,
and that includes getting a better idea about its appearance,
personality, and health requirements. Here's what you need to
know about Shetland Sheepdogs:

Also known as the “Sheltie,” the Shetland Sheepdog originally
began life as a small herding dog for Shetland Island terrain.
When you first look at this breed, you will notice a strong
resemblance with the Collie although the Shetland Sheepdog is
smaller. While the exact origin of this breed remains unknown,
we do know that somewhere off the coast of Scotland the dog was
bred down to what we know it to be today.

To give you an idea of the makeup of the Shetland Sheepdog, you
have breeding from the Yakki, Icelandic Sheepdog, and Border
Collie. Then, it is believed that in the 19th century, this
breed could have been crossbred with other dogs to include the
Prince Charles Spaniel, Pomeranian, and perhaps even the King
Charles Spaniel. However, to add even more question to the mix
is that in the early part of the 20th century, the coat of the
Shetland Sheepdog came out brindle, which would indicate two
other breeds to include the Corgi and Terrier.

What we do know is that the American Kennel Club first
recognized the Shetland Sheepdog in 1911, which resulted from
the first registration of a dog named Lord Scott. Although the
Shetland Sheepdog was once a prominent breed in Shetland, today
you rarely see it. Instead, the Border Collie has taken its
place in importance and use.

This breed has an amazing ability to compete. As an agile dog,
they are outstanding when it comes to showmanship, obedience,
herding, tracking, and so on. Therefore, using the Shetland
Sheepdog in competitions or show is a satisfying decision.

Physical Appearance

The Sheltie has a graceful and sweet appearance. As far as the
breed’s coat, there is a double coat with the topcoat being long
and straight and the undercoat being short and furry. In fact,
the topcoat is water-repellant while the undercoat is extremely
thick. To keep tangles at bay, it is important that the
Shetland Sheepdog be brushed and groomed on a regular basis.
Otherwise, you could be dealing with deeply matted hair in
places such as the hind legs, under the elbows, and even behind
the ears.

If you want to show your Sheltie through the American Kennel
Club, there is a definite height requirement. For instance,
the male and female dog would need to be between 13 and 16
inches at the withers. For weight, most males will fall
somewhere around 14 to 18 pounds with the females averaging 12
to 16 pounds. Another requirement includes ears that are
tipped or just slightly bent. Colors of this breed also vary
to include:

Sable (light gold to mahogany)
Tri-color (white, black, and tan)
Blue Merle (gray, black, white, and tan)
Bi-blues (gray, black, and some white)
Merle (not often seen in show but acceptable)
Double Merle (brings risk of blindness and deafness)

Temperament and Personality

When looking for a good family dog and companion, the Sheltie
is a great option to consider. This particular breed is
exceptionally bright, loyal, affectionate, and loving. The one
thing you need to be aware of is that the Sheltie can be wary of
strangers. Socializing this breed at a young age can help
overcome some of those types of unwanted behaviors. The
Shetland Sheepdog is great with adults but wait until you see
them with children. They are patient, protective, and
extremely gentle even with the smallest of child. This breed
also works well with other animals.

Some people believe that the Shetland Sheepdog barks too much
and while some can be a little on the yappy side, but with
proper training, this trait can be overcome. With most breeds,
you would find either the male or female having a slightly
better edge over the other. However, with the Sheltie, male
and female are equally great dogs. When choosing this breed,
just make sure you have adequate time for training and playing,
as well as room for running around.

Health

Unfortunately, the Shetland Sheepdog is prone to certain health
problems such as Epilepsy, Ophthalmologist, Hypothyroidism, and
various types of skin allergies. As far as the eyes, this
particular breed can inherit two problems. The first is called
Sheltie Eye Syndrome or SES, which affects all three layers of
the eye, resulting in a blind spot to full blindness. For
this, special testing can be performed while a puppy to
determine if the defect exists. The second is called
Progressive Retinal Atrophy or PRA. In this case, the dog
would begin to experience problems with night vision, which
would eventually lead to daytime problems and then blindness.

Dermatomyositis is another health risk associated specific to
the Sheltie. Unfortunately, this problem is often not
diagnosed until after six months or is even misdiagnosed. What
happens is that Dermatomyositis starts as Alopecia on the top of
the head, which means losing hair. Sometimes, the problem can
affect the dog’s tail as well. Sadly, while this appears as a
skin problem, it is actually an autonomic nervous system
disease, eventually leading to the animal being humanely
euthanized.

Other possibilities although not as common, include Von
Willebrand Disease, a hereditary defect, and Hypothyroidism, a
condition in which the thyroid is not functioning as it should.
Typically, good grooming, diet, and exercise will go a long way
in keeping the Shetland Sheepdog healthy.


About The Author: Daniel Stevens is the renowned dog trainer
and author of SitStayFetch, a leading dog training guide having
sold over 21,000 copies. See
http://www.kingdomofpets.com/dogobediencetraining/

dogbreeds/shetland-sheepdog.php

Pets are affected by today’s high pollution, poor nutrition,
and growing causes for excessive stress, and are becoming more
vulnerable to chronic disease and bad health.

Since their ancient origins, natural herbal remedies are making
new strides every day, with botanicals (plants) either
singularly or in compounds, and sometimes animal by-products
that improve health, appearance, attitude, and performance of
pets.

People are starting to realize the value of using natural
herbal products to prevent, improve, or treat dog, cat and
other pet diseases and conditions.

Here is a sample cross section of the many varied conditions
that can be helped:

Aggression in Pets
Aggressive behavior in dogs can include biting, barking,
snarling, snapping and raised fur along the back of the neck
and the ridge of the spine. Aggression in cats can include
scratching, biting, excessive yowling, and lunging, hissing,
spitting and destructive behavior.

Anxiety-Stress in Pets
A trip to the vet, thunderstorms, small children, an abusive
situation, change of owner, hair dryers, change of house, the
addition of another pet -- are a few of the situations that can
cause heightened levels of anxiety in your pet.

Cleanse and Disinfect Pet Wounds
Products that are formulated to effectively cleanse, disinfect
and begin the healing process, while also providing soothing
and analgesic relief for pets with a range of skin conditions
like wounds, bites, abrasions, paw injuries, etc.

Diabetes in Pets
Control and balance blood sugar levels and improve insulin
production and bio-availability. Assist in the treatment of
diabetes-related conditions like circulation problems, eye
disease and wound healing.

Increase milk production
A safe and natural combination of herbal ingredients for
optimizing colostrum and milk production in nursing pets, as
well as providing a natural tonic for the nursing female dog or
cat.

Fur balls in cats
Improve digestive functioning, and keep bowels regular and
prevent constipation and throwing up associated with fur ball
obstruction.

Skin and Coat
Whether a chronic or acute skin condition or just a bit of a
help after a bout of illness, this product will quickly help to
restore shine and health, as well as healing most chronic and
acute skin conditions.

This is just a tiny number of the various conditions that can
be helped by the use of natural herbal remedies with very
favorable results, and little or no adverse effects on the dog,
cat, or other pet.

Check it out and see if you can enhance a pet's health,
appearance, attitude, and performance.


About The Author: Joe Rote has spent 18 years in the health
field, and is the webmaster of http://www.aa1info.com that
will point you to high quality information, and natural herbal
remedies that are produced under pharmaceutical conditions to
ensure the highest degree of potency and consistency. Copyright
2006 Joe Rote This article may be freely distributed if the
resource box stays attached and no part of the article changed
without permission

Little kids are particularly fond of dogs and dogs too like
running around children. Dogs really take very good care of
kids and are quite protective about them. However, if you have
a kid, there are several important factors that you must
consider before deciding to bring a pup home.

Learn about various breeds and their primary traits. Choose the
dog breed that is known to be of easy temperament and training
friendly. Besides, the breed the individual traits also matter.
For instance, Dobermans are not supposed to be the children's
friend yet some of them have been found to be extremely
friendly with kids and are very tolerant of their rashness. In
a few instances dogs of certain gentle breeds turn out to be
short tempered and highly irritable. The best way to find out
whether a pup will grow into an angry dog or an affectionate
one is to have a look at his mother or grown up siblings.

Never forget that the puppy might be much smaller than your kid
but would grow much faster than him. One thing that you must
make your little ones understand that a pup is not a toy and
cannot be handled the way they like. The child, therefore, must
give a gentle treatment to the dog and mend his pushing, pulling
and twisting ways.

Kids have the habit of putting everything in their mouths and
once they get a dog they try to put all of it in his mouth.
Teach him not to, for the dog might not like it that much,
besides the kid might also hurt himself or herself doing it.
And, no tail pulling.

The child must also be encouraged to train the dog himself or
herself so that they grow up together and the dog understands
your child's commands fully well. Do not allow your child to
walk the dog unless you or some other elder is around because
dogs often get distracted by sounds and may go berserk in
excitement. This might hurt the child though the dog himself
would feel very sorry for having hurt the little one. Dogs are
very sensitive creatures and can feel human pain. If you are in
pain they just might end up crying literally.

About The Author: The author writes about a number of different
topics. For more information on pet dogs visit
http://www.thepetdo gs.com/ and also visit the article pages:
http://www.thepetdo gs.com/dog- training- and-care/ and
http://www.thepetdo gs.com/dog- breeds/

Introduction

In a perfect world, you will be able to keep your dog inside.
But sometimes that just isn’t possible. Perhaps your dog has
outgrown your house, or you have a new baby or an elderly
relative moving that you are worried about your dog being
around. In either case, the solution is not to simply cast your
dog out into the backyard without any shelter. If your dog has
to be outside most of the time, it is important to provide a
dog house so your dog can continue to live safely and
comfortably. Indeed, even if your dog is allowed in the house,
a dog house can still be a good idea if your dog will be
spending extended periods outside during the day. In such
cases, a dog house will provide shade on sunny days, and warmth
on cold days.

Choosing the Perfect Dog House
The most obvious factor to consider when choosing a dog house
is the size of your dog. It should be spacious enough for your
dog to stretch or to turn around. Don’t buy one that it too
large for your pet. Your dog will not be comfortable in a large
empty space. Think about the places in your house where your dog
likes to sleep and try to match that size; these places will
usually be nestled into corners, or on landings, or curled up
in a dog bed. Try to find the size that will make your dog as
comfortable as possible.

The next important consideration is climate. If you live in a
very hot place, get a dog house that is well ventilated. Some
manufactures offer raised dog houses to allow for an even
greater air flow around and through the dog house.
Alternatively, if the heat is really bad, you can even purchase
dog houses with air conditioning. If you choose to go this
route, be sure that it has a door with a good seal to help keep
the electricity bills down. If you are more concerned about snow
that heat waves, choose a dog house that is waterproof and well
insulated. As a bonus for your pet, you can purchase a heated
pet bed.

Portable Dog Houses

If you only need a dog house on a temporary basis, you should
consider purchasing a portable dog house. Resembling a small
tent, they are collapsible and, as the name indicates, light
and easy to transport. While not designed to withstand a winter
storm, they are usually made of very breathable materials and
can provided a convenient and comfortable home away from home
when travelling with your dog. If you plan to use a portable
dog house while on the road, however, you should get your dog
used to using it at home first before trying it in a new place
where your dog may feel ill at ease.

Building Your Own Dog House

As a final consideration, if you are particularly handy with
tools, consider building the dog house yourself. A number of
basic plans are available on the internet for you to choose
from. Keep in mind, however, that depending how competent you
are with woodwork, this may turn out to be a more expensive
option. Additionally, ensure that the dog house you’ve made is
stable and will withstand the elements before putting your dog
in it for the night.


About The Author: David Amos is a dog lover and long time dog
owner. For more information about dog houses and kennels go to
http://www.onlinedogcare.com/doghouse For more about dog care
and keeping your dog happy and healthy go to
http://www.onlinedogcare.com

It is obvious that your puppy or dog will need all the winter clothes neccessary to keep warm this winter. You will not, therefore, forget to provide for your puppy or dog while preparing for your family this winter. Your dog feels cold just like everyone else, keep it warm and your dog will remain healthy and love you till death do you part. Read the article below to get more insight into how to keep your dog or puppy safe during the winter holidays.


Keep Your Dog Or Puppy Safe During The Winter
Holidays

It's the most wonderful time of the year for people, but not
dogs. Thousands of our furry friends end up lost, injured or
sick during the winter holidays. Take a few moments to learn
how you can easily make this holiday season a safe and happy
one for dogs and puppies.

The best way to keep pets safe over the holidays is to think of
them as children. Like children, the dangers to your pet depend
largely on their age, training and ability to follow simple
commands. A new puppy is more at risk because they lack the
training and experience to deal with increased holiday activity
in a household.

Untrained pups tend to 'bolt' out of an open door or gate and
may not be missed for hours. Pups can easily be stepped on
while trying to navigate their way through all the extra feet.
Children can accidentally injure a puppy during rough play if
adults are too busy to monitor them. Prevent injury to your pup
by setting up a playpen or using a child safety gate to create a
safe place for your pet to access food, water and a potty area
away from all the activity.

Dogs of all ages tend to be overfed during the holidays. It's
natural for dogs to 'beg' for food. With all the extra cooking
and eating, people feel guilty and give their pets lots of
human food. This can make them sick and will add to the problem
of obesity in older dogs. Never give chicken or turkey bones to
dogs. They can splinter causing serious throat or internal
damage.

Holiday plants such as mistletoe, poinsettias, lilies and holly
can poison or make your dog very sick. These should be placed in
areas that cannot be reached by dogs or younger children. Most
kids instinctively pluck at plants, taste leaves and petals or
offer them to pets.

Dogs that like to chew will try and make a meal of extension
cords and electrical wires. Help your pet avoid a shocking
experience by purchasing wire and cord protectors. Use
pre-assembled Christmas Tree Light Sets. These easily wrap
around the tree, tuck just inside branches and allow for
connection to electrical sources near the top. This helps
eliminate the danger of dangling light wires or loose extension
cords under the tree.

Pet Owners that prefer traditional light sets should string
their lights from the bottom of the tree up. Connect them to
power sources near the middle or top of the tree. Dogs love to
lay under or behind Christmas Trees. It's easy for them to
become entangled in loose wires causing strangulation, injury
to extremities or worse as they try to get loose. If they pull
hard enough, the tree will probably fall on top of them.

If you decide on a real tree instead of an artificial one, you
will have to pet-proof the area around it. Dogs tend to chew on
or eat pine needles and drink tree water. The needles can cause
internal damage. Freshness treatments contain chemicals or
fertilizer and stale water is a breeding ground for bacteria.
Artificial trees pose a risk because of the decorations we
place on them. Broken Christmas ornaments and light bulbs can
get stuck in a dog's paw or mouth if they are chewed. If eaten,
the sharp pieces will probably cause internal damage. Tinsel can
cause an intestinal blockage.

Creating a safety zone between your dog and a Christmas tree
can be accomplished in several ways. You can cut a real tree
down to fit on a tabletop. Artificial trees assemble in
sections and can be sized to fit on top of a table. Use gifts
to fill in the space below. If you prefer the traditional floor
to ceiling tree, screens or portable fencing can be used to keep
pets and children away from the tree and gifts.

Most holiday pet problems involve strangers. If holiday
visitors are unfamiliar with your pet situation, you cannot
blame them when dogs are accidentally let out, given unhealthy
treats or allowed to do things they shouldn't. If you're going
to allow your dog to mingle, let holiday guests know what is
and isn't allowed when it comes to your pet.

Now let’s discuss the B word. Despite the best training in the
world, it’s almost impossible to predict how a dog will react
to someone new. A dog BITE can cost you a lot of money and end
up being a death sentence for your pet. Think twice before you
allow your dog or puppy to roam freely in an area filled with
strangers. Apart from biting, young children can be mangled or
clawed by larger dogs that are suddenly frightened.

The holiday season is the time for wishful thinking when it
comes to gifts, not pets. If you’re not sure how your dog will
react to seasonal changes in the home, take steps to protect
your pet. As every parent or experienced pet owner knows, you
only get one chance to protect and care for those you love.

Visit http://www.azpuppies.com/ for free dog health and care
tips, toy dog breed information and puppies ready to be
adopted.
About The Author: Author: Bill Knell Author's Email:
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